Hit and run driver killed retired lecturer hours after passing test
A driver ran over a retired lecturer before speeding off and leaving him to die in the road just hours after passing his test.
Sharon Abraham, 27, was 20mph over the speed limit when he approached a zebra crossing Andrew Forrest, 75, was using in Eastbourne, East Sussex on July 26 last year.
The student hit the pensioner, stopped momentarily, then continued driving and failed to notify police of what had happened, Lewes Crown Court heard.
Mr Forrest, who was also an artist, died after suffering catastrophic injuries.
Abraham was arrested 16 hours later. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years and must take an extended re-test before he can drive again.
Abraham, formerly of Eastbourne, had held a driving licence abroad for nine years but was required to take a UK test, which he passed on the day he killed Mr Forrest.
The court heard he had passengers in the car at the time of the accident, which happened in Upperton Road.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit and Roads Policing Unit gathered evidence including CCTV evidence which showed the incident. Abraham was traced and arrested 16 hours after the collision.
‘At interview he claimed he had not been speeding and said he was sure the collision was not his fault.
‘Another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction had correctly stopped at the zebra crossing to allow Mr Forrest to cross.
‘Abraham also claimed he intended to hand himself in to the police. His phone was seized and it showed he had searched for “hit and run collision UK law” before deleting the history.’
Judge Christine Laing told Abraham he was driving at a speed which was ‘highly inappropriate for the prevailing road and weather conditions’.
She continued: ‘Secondly, you drove with a lack of attention for a substantial period of time and it was only in the last second or two that you braked.
‘This case is aggravated by the fact that you only stopped momentarily before driving off. It must have been obvious at the very least there must have been terrible injuries, but your thoughts were of yourself and your car.’
Speaking after the case, Mr Forrest’s family paid tribute, describing him as a ‘much loved family member’.
They added: ‘It is hard to overstate the affect his sudden death has had on us all. Our children and their children loved Andy and he loved them.
‘He was also very well known in the Eastbourne community through his art exhibitions and his involvement with the Towner gallery and was an active member of several societies.
‘Nothing will bring him back. He could not say goodbye to those he loved. He was taken far too soon from our lives and we all miss him greatly.
‘We are grateful to the witnesses who stopped and were with Andy in the moments after the collision and take comfort in knowing he wasn’t alone.’
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