Man jailed for fatal hit and run on day of driving test

Sharon Abraham was carrying passengers when his car hit Andrew Forrest

A speeding driver who hit a pedestrian on a zebra crossing just hours after passing his driving test has been jailed after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Sharon Abraham, 27, was driving at an estimated 52mph (83.6kmh) when his Lexus car struck Andrew Forrest, 75, as he crossed Upperton Road, in Eastbourne, on 26 July 2023.

Police said Abraham, from Compton Road, Eastbourne, fled the scene and later bought a cover for his car to hide the damage to his vehicle.

He was sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for eight years at Lewes Crown Court.

Abraham, a student, held an overseas driving licence for nine years but was required to take a UK test.

His car hit Mr Forrest, a former head of history at Woking College, at about 19:45 BST on the day he passed the driving test.

Police said Abraham had searched “hit and run collision UK law” on his mobile phone before deleting the history.

Speed limit

He told police he had not been speeding in Upperton Road – where the speed limit is 30mph.

Sussex Police, which estimated that Abraham been travelling between 45mph and 52mph, said the collision would not have happened if Abraham had been driving within the speed limit.

Abraham initially claimed the collision was not his fault but later pleaded guilty.

Speaking after the case, Mr Forrest’s family said: “Nothing will bring him back. He could not say goodbye to those he loved.

"He was taken far too soon from our lives and we all miss him greatly.

"We are grateful to the witnesses who stopped and were with Andy in the moments after the collision and take comfort in knowing he wasn’t alone.”