2 days ago
Driver was speeding at 144mph when he killed woman on Christmas Day
A driver reached speeds of 144mph before a fatal hit and run on Christmas Day.
Evan Forde, 32, was driving a black Mercedes C43 AMG when he crashed into the back of a BMW on the Brent Cross flyover, in north-west London.
Maria Do Nascimento, 22, a passenger in the BMW, died at the scene.
Forde appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, and admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Met Police officers had tried to pull the car over as it drove down Hendon Way at 3.45am on Christmas Day 2022.
The car was travelling so quickly that it was not pursued by police and it was then involved in a collision with Ms Do Nascimento's car on a 40mph stretch of Hendon Way.
The Mercedes careered into a lamppost, but all four men managed to get out and fled the scene on foot.
Frederick Hookway, prosecuting, said Forde reached speeds of 144mph.
Members of the victim's family were in court as Forde pleaded guilty.
Earlier, they had paid tribute to their 'princess and little star', seeking money to fly her back to her native Brazil.
Judge Anthony Leonard, KC, said Forde, of Bedford, would remain on bail ahead of sentence on Oct 22.
'A very serious charge'
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.'
Tasmin Malcomb, defending, said Forde 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.'
Scotland Yard said a marked vehicle had indicated to Forde's vehicle to stop but had not pursued the speeding car.
The Metropolitan Police said it had made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is routine in such circumstances.
