A wealthy foreign national behind the wheel of a high-performance Ferrari orchestrated a swift escape from British soil following a devastating collision that claimed the life of successful businessman Benjamin Gladman, The Independent can reveal.
The tragic incident unfolded on the A420 near Oxford in December 2023, when the powerful sports car collided with Mr Gladman's Yamaha motorcycle. Despite emergency services rushing to the scene, the 38-year-old entrepreneur from Bristol was pronounced dead at the location.
The Disappearing Act
Shockingly, the Ferrari driver managed to leave the United Kingdom before law enforcement could conduct a thorough investigation. Thames Valley Police confirmed they interviewed the individual under caution but made no arrests, citing the need for "further investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Benjamin Gladman's grieving family have expressed their devastation, describing him as "the most loving, caring and genuine person" in an emotional tribute. The collision has left his wife, children, and wider family struggling to comprehend their loss.
Diplomatic Complexities Emerge
The case has taken on international dimensions, with sources suggesting the driver may have been connected to a foreign embassy. While not officially confirmed as possessing diplomatic immunity, the individual's rapid departure from Britain and the involvement of the Foreign Office has raised significant questions.
A Foreign Office spokesperson acknowledged they were "providing consular assistance to a foreign national" but declined to elaborate further, citing long-standing policy against commenting on individual cases.
Police Under Scrutiny
Thames Valley Police face mounting pressure over their handling of the investigation. The force maintains they are pursuing "all available lines of enquiry" and have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), though the police watchdog has decided against launching an investigation.
Road safety advocates have expressed concern about the case, highlighting what they describe as potential "inconsistencies" in how serious traffic incidents involving foreign nationals are investigated compared to those involving British citizens.
The Gladman family continues to seek answers about the circumstances that led to Benjamin's death and the subsequent events that allowed the driver to leave the country without facing immediate consequences.
