Driver admits killing woman, 22, in 140mph Christmas Day crash
A man has admitted killing a young woman after crashing a Mercedes at 140mph on Christmas Day.
Evan Forde was speeding when he crashed into the back of a BMW on December 25, 2022 at about 3.45am.
He was driving on a stretch of Hendon Way in Brent Cross, north London with a speed limit of 40mph – but he reached speeds of more than 140mph during the drive.
Maria Carolina Do Nascimento, 22, was a passenger in the BMW but died at the scene of the crash.
Shortly before the crash, police officers on patrol had indicated for Forde’s car to stop, but he drove off and they did not follow him.
A short time later, the Met were then told the same car had been involved in a crash.
The people in the Mercedes ran away from the scene on foot.
London Ambulance Service attended but Ms Nascimento, from Brazil, died at the scene.
Forde, 32 and from Bedford, appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday where he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Ms Nascimento’s family cried in court as he pleaded guilty.
Defence barrister Tasmin Malcolm said Forde had ‘always accepted’ he was driving the Mercedes.
She said: ‘Undoubtedly the speed Mr Forde was driving will be an aggravating feature to the court.
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‘It is important we are satisfied of the accuracy of the material relied on by the Crown.’
Prosecutor Frederick Hookway observed that small variations of the speeds involved in the case were unlikely to have an impact given the defendant had reached ‘top speeds of over 140mph’.
Judge Anthony Leonard KC adjourned sentencing until October 22 and granted Forde continued conditional bail.
He told the defendant: ‘You have pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. There was perhaps no option other than to do so given the state of the evidence.
‘However, the fact you pleaded at this stage will be taken into account at sentencing.
‘You must understand the most likely result – if not the inevitable result – will be you sent to prison.’
The Metropolitan Police previously said it had made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the crash.
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