Driver admits killing woman, 22, in 140mph Christmas crash as he fled police
A driver has admitted to killing a 22-year-old woman in a Christmas Day horror crash after tearing through north London streets at more than 140mph.
Evan Forde, 32, was behind the wheel of a Mercedes when he smashed into a BMW on Hendon Way, Brent Cross, at around 3.45am on December 25, 2022. Despite the 40mph speed limit, Forde was caught at more than three times that - a devastating impact that killed passenger Maria Carolina Do Nascimento instantly.
The brazilian student died at the scene despite desperate efforts by paramedics to save her. On Tuesday at the Old Bailey, Forde pleaded guilty to causing Ms Nascimento's death by dangerous driving.
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Moments before the crash, police in a marked car had signalled for Forde to stop, but he sped off. Scotland Yard said officers did not pursue him. Within minutes, they were told his car had ploughed into another vehicle. Forde and his passengers then fled the wreckage on foot.
Ms Nascimento's grieving relatives wept as he admitted the offence in court. Forde's barrister, Tasmin Malcolm, said he had "always accepted" he was driving the Mercedes. She added: "Undoubtedly the speed Mr Forde was driving will be an aggravating feature to the court. It is important we are satisfied of the accuracy of the material relied on by the Crown."
Prosecutor Frederick Hookway said small differences in speeds were irrelevant, given the defendant had reached "top speeds of over 140mph". Judge Anthony Leonard KC adjourned sentencing until October 22, granting Forde conditional bail. He told him: "You have pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. There was perhaps no option other than to do so given the state of the evidence.
"However, the fact you pleaded at this stage will be taken into account at sentencing. You must understand the most likely result - if not the inevitable result - will be you sent to prison."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is standard procedure in such circumstances.
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