Hit-and-run death crash driver jailed

Gabriel Lungu died in 2021

A driver who admitted causing the hit-and-run death of a motorist in Aberdeen has been jailed.

Connor Wilson, 23, failed to reduce his speed approaching a junction and hit a car being driven by Gabriel Lungu, 43, who later died in hospital.

Wilson and a passenger fled the scene of the 2021 crash, but were later traced.

Wilson, of Westhill, Aberdeenshire, admitted causing death by driving dangerously and at excessive speed. He was jailed for four years and four months at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Judge Lord Fairley said: "Only a custodial sentence is appropriate in this case."

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that forensic analysis placed Wilson - a barber - in the driver's seat of the VW Golf and his DNA was found on the steering wheel.

He was caught on footage driving at 56mph seconds before the collision on the approach to a junction at Hilton Avenue and Hilton Drive.

The area has a 30mph speed limit and a recommendation that drivers stick to 20mph.

Wilson drove with a deflated front nearside tyre, failed to adhere to road signs and markings, failed to reduce speed on the approach to a junction, failed to give way to other road users, and collided with the car driven by Mr Lungu.

Mr Lungu was a Romanian who moved to the UK in 2011 and worked in the construction industry.

After the crash he managed to get out of the badly damaged vehicle he was driving, but was in pain and was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

It was found he had sustained a ruptured vein and underwent emergency surgery, but died from abdominal injuries.

Relatives of Mr Lungu previously described him as a "much-loved husband, father, grandfather and friend" who was "truly one in a million" and the "most selfless, caring, and kind man you could ever wish to know".

'Some form of justice'

Defence counsel Lorenzo Alonzi acknowledged the tragedy involved in the case and the loss of Mr Lungu's life and the suffering of his family.

He said Wilson was 21 at the time of the offence and had expressed his remorse to the writer of a background report prepared on him.

Insp Steve Manson of Police Scotland, who led the investigation, said: "No conviction or sentence will ever reflect the devastating impact this has had on Mr Lungu's family but I hope this conviction will bring some form of justice. Our thoughts remain with them.

"Connor Wilson's reckless actions led to Gabriel Lungu's death and he now faces the consequences of that."

He added: "It's a stark reminder that drivers are responsible for their actions and the risks they take have lasting implications, not only for themselves but also for other road users."