A driver who hit a motorcyclist and left him lying in the road, has been jailed after police traced him from a car fog light left behind at the scene.
Malachi McClelland, aged 29, died three weeks after he was hit on Kenilworth Road, Coventry, on 17 October 2020.
Driver Azeem Khan had pulled out of a junction, failing to give way, and hit the motorcycle with the impact throwing Malachi onto the opposite side of the road where he was tragically struck by a bus.
Khan made no attempt to stop at the scene and drove off in the VW Golf.
Malachi suffered serious injuries and despite the efforts of medical staff he succumbed to his injuries on 8 November.
Using debris, pictured, left at the scene, investigators identified the make and model of the car involved and police launched an appeal to find the vehicle.
A Golf was identified which when initially examined did not appear right. As investigators dug deeper into the vehicle and it became apparent that significant changes had been made to it including a replacement bumper.
A more in-depth examination later on showed that the wiring for fog lights no longer on the car was
hidden behind the new bumper.
Comparison photographs showed that the changes had taken place around the time of the collision and its registration had also been changed.
Khan was arrested after being stopped driving the car and as detectives probed further they were able to trace the vehicle had been parked near to Khan’s place of work with the damage visible.
They also went on to prove that Khan bought replacement parts for the VW Golf after the collision.
Khan was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Despite initially pleading not guilty, just before the start of his trial he changed his plea to guilty.
On Friday (16 Dec) at Warwick Crown Court Khan, aged 36 of Lewis Road, Coventry, was sentenced to six years in prison and disqualified from driving for nine years.
Speaking after the hearing Malachi’s family said: ‘Malachi was a loving son, brother and partner who was loved by his friends and family.
“He was always reliable – one of the kindest, generous, sincere, reliable people you would ever meet.
“He enjoyed life to the full and what happened was a huge loss to everyone who knew and loved him.
“As a family we have had to wait over two years for the defendant to finally admit his guilt just a few days before the trial was due to start. Only now can we grieve.’
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Khan knew from day one exactly what he had done and then went on to make deliberate attempts to get away with facing justice.
“The grief his callous actions and total lack of thought for anyone but himself has had on Malachi’s loved ones cannot be comprehended.