A 66-year-old prostate cancer patient has been jailed for 14 months after killing a pedestrian while driving above the speed limit in West Bromwich and then fleeing the scene.
Gladwyn Alleyne, of Bassett Road, Wednesbury, had drunk 'two pints' at a snooker hall before getting behind the wheel of a black Mitsubishi 4x4. He struck Jason Hicks, 44, on the A41 Birmingham Road at about 9pm on October 5, 2024, while travelling at more than 40mph.
Crash details
Mr Hicks had 'almost reached the safety of the pavement' when he was hit, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. He was 'flung into the air' and landed on the ground, with passers-by rushing to help. CCTV showed Alleyne getting out of his car, walking up to his victim, and then leaving the scene.
Alleyne later told police he was too 'upset' to stay after seeing the victim's body. Paramedics and a police officer tried to save Mr Hicks, but his injuries were too severe and he died at 9.22pm. A post-mortem found a 'severe traumatic brain injury' and fractured legs.
Speed analysis
An investigation established that Alleyne was travelling at between 42mph and 49mph in the lead-up to the crash and at a 'minimum speed of 42mph' at the 'point of collision'. Prosecutor Sarah Slater said that had Alleyne been at the 30mph limit 'during the 5.7 seconds that Mr Hicks was in the carriageway', the victim 'would have had over two further seconds to cross the carriageway' and would have crossed safely.
A witness at a nearby BP petrol station heard a 'loud bang' and provided medical assistance before calling 999. The witness took down the Mitsubishi's registration plate, which helped police trace the driver.
Previous convictions
Alleyne had previous convictions for driving offences dating back to 2004, including drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance. He was arrested the next day after police found the car keys in his jacket.
In his police interview, Alleyne said Mr Hicks had 'run out in front of him' and that he was travelling at around 30mph. He said he left the scene when he 'saw the blood because it upset him'.
Sentencing
Defending, Danae Larham said Alleyne is a self-employed welder with prostate cancer and mental health issues 'arising out of the incident'. She said he is a 'family man' with seven children and six grandchildren, and that his wife, a supply maths teacher, had suffered a 'mental breakdown' since the crash.
Judge Michael Chambers KC said there was 'no direct evidence' of drink-driving but noted that leaving the scene frustrated testing for alcohol, calling it a 'grossly aggravating factor'. He said: "The cause of this collision was speed. You have been assessed as driving at some 42mph. That clearly was grossly excessive and significant."
Alleyne admitted causing death by careless driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision, and failing to report a road traffic collision. He was jailed for 14 months on Friday, October 30, and banned from driving for two years and seven months.
