In a tragic incident that underscores the dangers of reckless driving, 27-year-old Sharon Abraham was sentenced to six years in prison for causing the death of a pedestrian through dangerous driving on Upperton Road, Eastbourne. The accident occurred just hours after Abraham, who previously held a driving license abroad for nine years, passed his UK driving test.
The collision, which took place at approximately 7:45 PM on July 26 last year amid rainy conditions and dwindling daylight, resulted in the death of 75-year-old Andrew Forrest who was using a zebra crossing. Witnesses reported that a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction had stopped to allow Mr. Forrest to cross, but Abraham, driving a Lexus at an estimated speed between 45mph and 52mph in a 30mph zone, failed to stop, hitting Forrest.
After the incident, Abraham did not remain at the scene or report the accident to the police. Instead, he concealed his car behind his property and purchased a cover the following morning to hide the damage. This evasion continued until his arrest 16 hours after the incident, following a lead from CCTV footage obtained by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit and Roads Policing Unit.
During his court appearance at Lewes Crown Court on April 25, Abraham admitted to the crime but initially denied speeding and claimed he was not at fault. His phone records, however, showed he had searched for “hit and run collision UK law” before attempting to delete his history.
Her Honour Judge Christine Laing KC, delivering the sentence, pointed out Abraham’s gross negligence: “You were driving at a speed which was highly inappropriate for the prevailing road and weather conditions,” she stated. “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.”
In addition to his prison term, Abraham has been disqualified from driving for eight years and is required to pass an extended re-test before he can drive again. The judge noted that the sentence was reduced from nine years due to Abraham’s early guilty plea.
This case has highlighted the urgent need for drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits and to remain vigilant at all times, particularly in adverse weather conditions and near pedestrian crossings.
