Speeding driver hit 89-year-old man, carried him on car roof and abandoned his body

A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years and 10 months in prison for hitting an 89-year-old man, carrying his body on the roof of his car for over a mile, and then abandoning the corpse. Albert Matraxhiu, from Edgware, north London, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court. The incident occurred on December 29 last year, when Matraxhiu, driving a grey Mercedes estate at an estimated speed of 76.5 mph, collided with Thomas Wallace, a retired dental surgeon, on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent. Witness accounts detailed how Mr Wallace was thrown onto the car's roof during the collision and remained there for approximately a mile. The vehicle eventually turned into a side lane, where Mr Wallace’s body was dislodged and discovered by a postman on Grange Road. Matraxhiu, accompanied by his friend Erald Paci, who was seated in the front passenger seat, then drove to a remote area to dispose of the car. Both men, who are Albanian nationals, removed the number plates from the vehicle, which Matraxhiu was driving without a valid license or insurance. They also discarded their clothing and mobile phones to avoid identification. Paci, 30, of Five Ways Court, Chatham, Kent, was sentenced to 15 months in jail for perverting the course of justice. He was released from custody shortly after the sentencing due to time already served on remand. Matraxhiu had initially fled to an address in Sheffield, but Paci contacted the authorities less than 12 hours after the crash, following a media appeal. Within 24 hours, Paci was interviewed by police and provided information about their route and the location where the number plates were disposed of. Both men pleaded guilty earlier this year. During the sentencing, Judge Julian Smith acknowledged Matraxhiu’s expression of genuine remorse but emphasized the severity of his actions. The judge noted that driving with Mr Wallace’s body on the car roof before abandoning it significantly aggravated the offense. In his ruling, the judge highlighted the profound impact of the crime on Mr Wallace’s family, describing the victim’s life as “an extraordinary picture of a full life.” He stated that Mr Wallace’s legacy was defined by his deep connections with others. Family members of Mr Wallace expressed their anguish during the proceedings. Mrs. Wallace, who married her husband 64 years ago, described the loss as “impossible to believe” and called the defendants' actions “cowardly and cruel.” She lamented that Mr Wallace, a dedicated dental surgeon known for his kindness, was treated with indifference. Her son James Wallace conveyed his deep resentment toward the perpetrators for failing to assist his father. Juliet Roma, another daughter, likened her father’s treatment to being regarded as “roadkill,” emphasizing the emotional devastation felt by the family. Peter Wallace, the youngest son, recounted how his father had recently recovered from a stroke and was enjoying a vibrant life. He described the experience of fearing for his father’s safety as one of the most terrifying moments of his life. He stressed that the sense of injustice persists strongly among the family. Kent Police detective inspector Zoe Wilczek condemned Matraxhiu’s conduct as “dangerous and amoral,” noting that his efforts to evade capture demonstrated a lack of integrity. She assured the public that the sentence reflects the gravity of the case and that the community will find some measure of closure through the legal outcome.