Driver Changes Plea to Guilty in Fatal Gillingham Collision
A man previously accused of killing a great-grandfather through dangerous driving has now entered a guilty plea at Maidstone Crown Court. Albert Matraxhiu, aged 29, from Orange Hill in Edgware, admitted to the serious charge on Friday, February 2, following an earlier plea to a lesser offence of causing death by careless driving.
Tragic Incident on Kent Road
The victim, Tom Wallace, an 89-year-old dental surgeon and grandfather-of-four, lost his life in a hit-and-run incident on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent. The collision occurred around 12:10pm on December 29, when Mr Wallace was struck by a Mercedes estate car near the junction with Waterside Lane.
Shockingly, reports indicate that Mr Wallace was allegedly carried on the vehicle's roof for approximately one and a half miles before being discovered fatally injured in the roadway. A postman and a local resident rushed to provide assistance, but paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Charges
Initially, Matraxhiu had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving. However, prosecutor Ryan Richter deemed this "unacceptable" to the Crown, prompting a call for trial on the more serious dangerous driving allegation. Judge Julian Smith agreed with this assessment, scheduling a five-day trial set to commence on July 13.
Following Matraxhiu's change of plea to guilty for the dangerous driving charge, this trial will no longer proceed. The defendant has also admitted to several additional offences, including driving without insurance, operating a vehicle without a valid licence, failing to stop after the accident, and failing to report the collision.
Co-defendant and Community Impact
In a related development, co-defendant Erald Paci, also 29 years old and residing at Five Way Court in Chatham, has admitted to perverting the course of justice. Matraxhiu has pleaded guilty to the same charge. Both men, identified as Albanian nationals, reportedly abandoned the Mercedes after the collision and removed its number plates before fleeing on foot. Police later located the vehicle nearby.
The Wallace family has expressed profound gratitude to the compassionate residents and postman who attempted to assist their loved one on Grange Road. They described these individuals as "compassionate and kind" in their efforts to help during the tragic event.
Tribute to a Respected Community Member
Tom Wallace, a father-of-three who had worked throughout the Medway Towns his entire career, was remembered as a devoted family man married for 63 years. He had recently become a great-grandfather before his untimely death. His family shared heartfelt memories, noting his passion for sailing single-handed along the east coast and across the Channel to France.
Mr Wallace was an active community participant, serving as a bell-ringer at Gillingham Green's church for many years. He volunteered as a Samaritan, raised funds for the NSPCC, and undertook several European cycling tours to support Marie Curie. His family stated, "He was a respected and loved member of the community and deserved a better end to his life than this."
Both defendants have been remanded in custody and are scheduled for sentencing on March 20 at Maidstone Crown Court, where Judge Smith will oversee the proceedings.
