Motorist faces 14 years jail for killing rickshaw passenger in crash

2022-09-01

Driver, 24, who killed female rickshaw passenger, 31, when he crashed into a pedicab before fleeing the scene admits causing death by dangerous driving

Luis Balcazar Soto, 24, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death
He crashed into a rickshaw on July 10, killing passenger Sophie Strickland, 31
Judge Deborah Taylor adjourned the case for sentencing on November 1

A motorist who killed a rickshaw passenger and injured her driver before he fled the scene has pleaded guilty to the offence and now faces years in jail.

Luis Balcazar Soto, 24, crashed his Kia Carens into the pedicab as it travelled in south London, on July 10, instantly killing 31-year-old passenger Sophie Strickland.

He also injured rickshaw driver Tanzir Ahmed, in his 30s, in the crash on New Kent Road, Southwark.

Ms Strickland was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Ahmed was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm. A second pedicab passenger escaped injury having stepped out of the rickshaw to withdraw some cash moments before the tragedy.

The incident occurred about 4.10am and caused road closures for several hours afterwards.

Luis Balcazar Soto, 24, crashed his Kia Carens (pictured immediately after the crash) into the rickshaw

Soto appeared at Southwark Crown Court via video-link from custody on Thursday and admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years in jail.

But he denied causing death by dangerous driving while unlicensed and uninsured and those charges were ordered to lie on file.

Fiona Robertson, prosecuting, told the court CCTV footage of the crash will be shown at a future sentencing hearing.

‘CCTV footage will include the driving, the collision itself and the defendant fleeing the scene, as well as comments the defendant made after the event,’ she said.

Judge Deborah Taylor told Soto: ‘As far as this matter is concerned I am going to adjourn this case for 1 November this year. In the meantime you are remanded in custody.

‘That is to obtain a further report and medical evidence in relation to Mr Ahmed’s injuries.’

Ms Strickland was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Ahmed was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm. A second passenger had stepped out of the cab to withdraw some cash moments before the tragedy

Source: Read Full Article