Hit and run driver jailed for death of pensioner in Gillingham

A hit and run driver who left his victim for dead in Gillingham has been jailed for almost 10 years.

Albert Matraxhiu, 29, had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after fatally colliding with a pedestrian on 29 December 2025.

Travelling at 76mph in a 40mph zone, Matraxhiu hit 89 year old Tom Wallace at a crossing on the A289 Gads Hill. He continued with his victim on the roof for almost a mile to Grange Road where Mr Wallace fell from the car.

Officers and paramedics attended but he was declared deceased at the scene.

Matraxhiu and his passenger, Erald Paci, abandoned the vehicle on nearby Eastcourt Lane before fleeing the scene.

A large-scale operation was launched to identify and detain the men, including the use of drones and extensive CCTV footage reviews.

A public witness appeal was issued with CCTV images of the two men believed to be involved.

Paci, 30, handed himself in that evening and identified Matraxhiu as the driver of the car. Matraxhiu also voluntarily attended a police station the day after the collision.

The Albanian national was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a collision, and driving without a licence or insurance.

He was also charged alongside Paci for perverting the course of justice by removing and disposing of the car’s number plates, their clothes and their phones.

Court

Matraxhiu admitted to all the charges at Maidstone Crown Court on 2 February.

At the same court on Friday 31 July, Matraxhiu, of Orange Hill Road, Edgware, was sentenced to 9 years and 10 months in prison. He will also be disqualified from driving for 6 years after release.

Paci, of Five Way Court, Chatham, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was sentenced at the same hearing to 15 months in prison but was released after the sentencing hearing due to time served on remand.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Zoe Wilczek said:

‘Matraxhiu’s dangerous and amoral actions have taken a man’s life and shocked the local community. ‘His deliberate and calculated attempts to evade capture and avoid facing the consequences of his actions are evidence of his poor substance of character, and we are satisfied he is facing a long time behind bars. ‘Mr Wallace was much-loved and deeply respected by his family and the community, and we hope today's sentence brings a sense of justice to all that knew him.’