Man jailed for killing woman in high-speed crash

Maria Carolina Do Nascimento died at the scene after the car was she was in was smashed into at high speed

A man has been jailed for 12 years for killing a woman in a high-speed car crash in north London on Christmas Day 2022.

Evan Forde, 32, from Bedford, was driving at speeds of up to 140mph before he crashed into the back of a BMW on Hendon Way, Brent Cross.

Maria Carolina Do Nascimento, 22, a passenger in the BMW, died at the scene of the crash, which happened at about 03:45 GMT.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey, Forde was told by Judge Philip Katz KC that he "did absolutely nothing" to bring closure to the family of Ms Nascimento.

Judge Katz said the fact Ms Do Nascimento's family and friends "have had to wait nearly three years for Maria's killer to be brought to justice is shameful".

Evan Forde had 10 previous convictions for 14 offences, including dangerous driving

Forde previously pleaded guilty to causing Ms Do Nascimento's death by dangerous driving. In mitigation, his barrister Tasmin Malcolm said he had shown "true and genuine remorse" for his actions.

However, the court heard that the defendant gave two "no-comment" interviews to police after the crash. Judge Katz criticised Forde for failing to assist the police investigation, adding that his "unforthcoming attitude" had meant further forensic work needed to be undertaken.

'Generous heart'

Prosecution barrister Frederick Hookway said CCTV and video from Forde's phone found in the car showed he had been at a nightclub in Camden in the hours before the crash.

Mr Hookway told the court that Forde had 10 previous convictions for 14 offences including dangerous driving and that at the time of the collision, he was on bail having been charged with failing to provide a specimen.

The court heard that shortly before the crash, police officers on patrol in a marked vehicle had indicated for the defendant's car to stop.

However, he drove off and there was no pursuit. Less than a minute later, Forde crashed into the BMW Ms Do Nascimento was travelling in.

In a victim impact statement read on her behalf, Ms Do Nascimento's mother Clezi Felizari described her daughter as someone with a "generous heart" who "touched everyone around her".

'Christmas now a nightmare'

Ms Do Nascimento's stepfather Clayton Felizari said it was "impossible to put into words the pain and emptiness" caused by her death.

He added: "Maria was our joy and our future, now we live with the emptiness of knowing we will never see our daughter marry, we will never have grandchildren."

The court heard that Ms Do Nascimento's family had celebrated Christmas together at the restaurant owned by Mr Felizari in the hours before the crash.

"Since then, every Christmas has become a nightmare," he added.