Pictured: 'Beautiful' father-of-three who was mown down on his way to work by 'drunk' woman, 24, who remains in hospital

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

This is the first picture of a father-of-three killed when a car fleeing police smashed into a bus stop – as friends and colleagues pay heartfelt tributes to the much-loved chef.
Sam Brahimi, 57, was waiting for a bus to take him to work when he was fatally struck by a car involved in a high-speed police chase in Borough, south London, just before 6am on Sunday.
A 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving. The Metropolitan Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Mr Brahimi, a short-order cook at the 24-hour Polo Bar café near Liverpool Street station, was described by devastated friends and colleagues as a 'beautiful man' who was always full of life and would be 'greatly missed'.
His wife and three sons are now trying to raise funds to repatriate his body to his native Albania, with a GoFundMe page launched to support the family during this heartbreaking time.
Philip Inzani, owner of the Polo Bar, said: 'Sam was a special person. He was coming to work that morning, but he never made it. Nothing can change the circumstances, but we set up a fundraiser to help his family in whatever way we can. The response has been incredible.'
Valerie Faichney, a colleague, said: 'Sam was a beautiful man – so happy and cheerful. He talked non-stop from six in the morning until six at night, always singing along to whatever music was playing in the café. I miss his voice the most. Some of our customers have been crying on my shoulder this week. It's been devastating.
'Sam was so loved. He was married with three sons in their late teens and early twenties. They're living through a horror story right now, and we want to raise as much as we can to help them.'
Ms Faichney said Mr Brahimi, who had worked at the Polo Bar for around ten years, was waiting for his usual bus when the crash happened. 'He lived nearby and was always on the day shift, cooking everything from all-day breakfasts and burgers to lunch and dinner. His family want to repatriate his body to Albania for burial, which is very expensive.'
Sofia Inzani, who launched the GoFundMe page, wrote: 'Sam leaves behind his wife, his children, and his Polo Bar friends and extended family. He will be so greatly missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing and working with him. Any help for his family in this unimaginably hard time would be greatly appreciated.'
The family declined to comment when approached through friends.
A Met Police spokeswoman told MailOnline that the investigation into the fatal collision was ongoing.
She said: 'At 05:40hrs on Sunday, 25 May, officers who were stationary in an unmarked police vehicle spotted a car travelling at speed along Southwark Bridge Road, [London] SE1.
'They pulled out and attempted to catch up with the vehicle with the intention to stop it, however only a short distance along the road, it collided with a bus stop at the junction of Great Suffolk Street and Southwark Bridge Road.
'The London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade attended and treated multiple people for injuries.
'Despite their best efforts, a 57-year-old man - who was waiting at the bus stop - was pronounced dead at the scene.
'His next-of-kin has been informed.
'A 24-year-old woman, believed to be an occupant of the car, was taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
'She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving. She remains in hospital.
'The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was immediately informed and, as is routine, a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).'