Latest news with #SeriousCollisionInvestigationTeam
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Doctor who killed dad-of-two in Hargrave car smash 'while late for work' jailed
Dr Hammanjulde Hammawa, 65, changed his plea to guilty and was jailed for three years over the death of Maciej Stepien following a trial at Northampton Crown Court A doctor who killed a dad-of-two in a head-on crash as he was running late for work has been jailed for three years. Dr Hammanjulde Hammawa, 65, crossed double white lines to overtake a lorry in his black Mercedes as he raced to work. He ploughed into a silver Yamaha motorbike being driven by Maciej Stepien on the B645 near the village of Hargrave, Northants. Mr Stepien, a technical engineer who had celebrated his 40th birthday days earlier, died at the scene of the crash which happened on November 29, 2022. Hammawa, a vascular consultant, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He initially denied the charge but later changed his plea to guilty and was jailed for three years at Northampton Crown Court on Friday . The court heard he had been due at the Irthlingborough Nene Clinic, Northants., but was running late on the morning of the fatal crash. At the sentencing hearing, a poignant victim impact statement was read out by Mr Stepien's wife Joanna paying tribute to the "wonderful father and role model". She said: 'Maciej wasn't just a statistic, or just another senseless casualty of dangerous and irresponsible driving. 'Maciej was a very rare and extraordinary man of many talents, skills and passions, and a great personality. He was a technical engineer and head of IT at a company based in Cambridgeshire where he was responsible for all the IT systems, servers, software and hardware, as well as developing new products and services, and supervising staff. 'He was a man of superior intelligence. His co-workers called him 'magic', as he could always find a solution to any problem, no matter how complex. 'He also loved helping people. In his youth he was a volunteer fire-fighter and throughout his life he was always available whenever someone he knew needed a helping hand. 'It is truly heartbreaking that his life was cut short when there was so much ahead of him. My husband was my best friend; he knew me better than anyone else. 'He was also a wonderful father and a great role model to our children who were only four and six when he passed away. There will be no more memories. Their wish for Santa to bring Daddy back will never come true. 'One day, and way too soon, Mr Hammawa's sentence will come to an end; we on the other hand will be left with this pain and emptiness forever. My husband's death came way too soon. We were completely unprepared to part our ways. Maciej brought so much love and laughter and happiness into our lives and now he is gone forever. 'It is still difficult to fully comprehend that he is not coming back. We will miss him and feel his unbearable absence for the rest of our lives.' Detective Constable Lee Norton, from Northamptonshire Police 's Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: 'Maciej died because of one person's decision to make a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre and I truly hope Mr Hammawa understands the pain he has caused as a result of his reckless actions that day. 'This case is a lesson to all road users to ensure you allow yourself enough time for any journey you wish to make. On this day, Mr Hammawa did not do this, instead making a split second decision in his rush not to be late that cost Maciej his life. 'No sentence can ever make up for the loss of Maciej.'
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Boy, 10, killed by delivery van as horrified witnesses 'try to pull him out'
Wiltshire Police have confirmed that a 10-year-old boy has died after being hit by a van in a collision on Oak Close, Tidworth, at around 7.05pm on Wednesday evening A 10-year-old boy has died after being hit by a delivery van, with horrified bystanders left trying to pull him out from under the vehicle. Wiltshire Police rushed to the scene in Oak Close, Tidworth on Wednesday, July 9, shortly after 7pm. A police spokesperson confirmed that the boy was pronounced dead at the location. Family members have been notified, with specialist officers providing them support. "Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time," the police representative conveyed. The man behind the wheel, in his 40s, is believed to be a delivery driver and remained on-site. No arrests have followed. Authorities are now urging any eyewitnesses to come forward. Residents say the man was on delivery duty when the incident occurred. A local, shaken by the event said: "The kid was playing and ran out." They added: "I don't think anyone was to blame. Some of the families around here heard it and ran out to help get the child out from under the vehicle." Anyone with information or footage of the collision is encouraged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team at 01225 694597, citing log number 305 from the day prior (09/07). Should you prefer, you can email the investigative team directly at SCIT@wiltshire. police. Deaths on the road are all too common in England. According to 10 young children (aged seven or under) are killed or seriously injured on British roads every week. Last week a woman suffered fatal injuries after the person driving the car she was in "braked sharply". Police have launched an appeal for dashcam footage and witness testimony after the death of 82-year-old Patricia Eastick in Hull. Patricia - whose name was released by her family - was riding passenger in a white Mercedes at around 7.55pm when the driver hit the brakes to avoid a silver Volkswagen that was performing a manoeuvre in the road. Despite the two vehicles avoiding a collision, Patricia sustained serious injuries. She was rushed to hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead some time later. The 82-year-old's family are now in contact with specially trained officers, according to Hull Live. A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "At approximately 7.55pm, it is reported that a white Mercedes was travelling northbound along Beverley Road, near to the junction of Grafton Street. It is believed that the driver of the Mercedes braked sharply in response to a manoeuvre made by a silver Volkswagen travelling in the area.
ITV News
03-05-2025
- ITV News
Mother jailed for causing death of son in crash on blind bend in Dorset
A mother has been jailed for causing the death of her son in a crash on a blind bend in Dorset. 39 year old Barbara Roe from Ludgershall in Wiltshire, was driving with her son on the A354 near East Woodyates in North Dorset last March when she began travelling at speed. She then attempted to overtake a Ford Transit as she approached a blind left-hand bend, crossing the solid white line marking in the middle of the road. A cattle transporter was travelling in the opposite direction and Roe collided with it. Members of the public attempted to give first aid at the scene before the emergency services attended. However, despite their best efforts, Roe's nine-year-old son Zac Roe died at the scene. Police Constable Gavin Newbury, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT), said: 'This tragic case is the cruellest of reminders of the truly devastating consequences that sadly occur when motorists drive in a dangerous or reckless manner. 'Our thoughts are absolutely with Zac's loved ones, who have been supported by specially trained officers throughout. "While we fully appreciate nothing will ever make up for their loss, our role has been to diligently investigate the circumstances of this collision and bring the evidence before the courts to allow the justice process to follow its course.' Roe was sentenced to five years in prison and disqualified from driving for a period of seven and a half years. Zac's father and his paternal grandparents described him as a "much-loved boy". In a statement, they said: 'His father adored him, as did we. 'He was a popular boy who had many friends. 'He had an amazing imagination. He just loved making things out of Lego, twigs, cardboard, string and Sellotape. "Just the same as his dad did when he was Zac's age. 'He was talented at drawing and spent many hours adding detail to whatever he drew. 'We called him nature boy as he loved being outdoors, making dens, riding his bike and scooter, playing parkour and army games. 'He just loved life. He was always smiling. 'He should be here now enjoying his life. 'Money has been raised and there in now a therapy dog named after Zac. This is Zac's legacy as he loved dogs. If anyone one would like to donate in Zac's memory please go to the 'Dogs for Health' Facebook page. 'We will never stop loving him. 'The good memories are too hard to think about yet. But when we are ready to remember them, we will know how much he loved his short life, which was brutally taken away. 'No one will ever forget our wonderful Zac. 'Our grief will last until our last breath.'
Western Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Western Telegraph
Welsh mum and daughter killed by speeding driver in storm
Firas Zeineddine, 46, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Swindon Crown Court. The incident took place at the height of a storm. Zeineddine pleaded guilty to two counts of death by careless driving. On October 20, 2023, at around 9am, Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, were stopped on the hard shoulder of the M4 eastbound near junction 17 for Chippenham after a minor collision. Zeineddine, driving a Tesla Model Y, was speeding at more than 90mph in the outside lane of the M4 during Storm Babet. (Image: Public submission) He aquaplaned, overcorrected his steering, and collided with the front offside bumper and steering axle of an HGV in lane 1. The HGV then crashed into and fell on Cheryl and Sarha's vehicle, a Volkswagen T-Roc. Both women were declared dead at the scene. Investigating officer DC Sean Williams, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: "This is an utterly tragic and needless incident which has seen two women lose their lives. "Zeineddine's speeding in the conditions was completely reckless and he admitted having impaired vision due to the amount of mist and spray that was coming off the road. "Despite this, data from his Tesla showed his speed was in excess of 90mph. "Once his vehicle started to aquaplane in the standing water, due to the speed he was driving, he lost complete control. "Cheryl and Sarha's deaths sadly provide a clear illustration of why it is vital to drive to the conditions, no matter where you are. "Any mistake or unforeseen incident, particularly at the speeds Zeineddine was driving, can have fatal consequences." At the time of the crash, Wiltshire Police released the following tribute from the family of the two women. It said: 'Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend. "Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family's well-being over her own, and she took immense pride in her Welsh heritage while nurturing a deep love for nature. 'Sarha Smith, in the footsteps of her mother, unselfishly devoted herself to her family's needs ahead of her own. "She was not only a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, but her absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence. "Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts.'
South Wales Argus
28-04-2025
- South Wales Argus
Speeding incident during storm led to deaths of two women
Firas Zeineddine, 46, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Swindon Crown Court. The incident took place at the height of a storm. Zeineddine pleaded guilty to two counts of death by careless driving. On October 20, 2023, at around 9am, Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, were stopped on the hard shoulder of the M4 eastbound near junction 17 for Chippenham after a minor collision. Zeineddine, driving a Tesla Model Y, was speeding at more than 90mph in the outside lane of the M4 during Storm Babet. (Image: Public submission) He aquaplaned, overcorrected his steering, and collided with the front offside bumper and steering axle of an HGV in lane 1. The HGV then crashed into and fell on Cheryl and Sarha's vehicle, a Volkswagen T-Roc. Both women were declared dead at the scene. Investigating officer DC Sean Williams, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: "This is an utterly tragic and needless incident which has seen two women lose their lives. "Zeineddine's speeding in the conditions was completely reckless and he admitted having impaired vision due to the amount of mist and spray that was coming off the road. "Despite this, data from his Tesla showed his speed was in excess of 90mph. "Once his vehicle started to aquaplane in the standing water, due to the speed he was driving, he lost complete control. "Cheryl and Sarha's deaths sadly provide a clear illustration of why it is vital to drive to the conditions, no matter where you are. "Any mistake or unforeseen incident, particularly at the speeds Zeineddine was driving, can have fatal consequences." At the time of the crash, Wiltshire Police released the following tribute from the family of the two women. It said: 'Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend. "Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family's well-being over her own, and she took immense pride in her Welsh heritage while nurturing a deep love for nature. 'Sarha Smith, in the footsteps of her mother, unselfishly devoted herself to her family's needs ahead of her own. "She was not only a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, but her absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence. "Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts.'
