A DRIVER who hit a motorcyclist in Coventry before leaving him lying in the road has been jailed after West Midlands Police traced him from a car fog light left behind at the scene.
Malachi McClelland, 29, was hit on Kenilworth Road on October 17, 2020, and he died three weeks later.
Malachi McClelland, who was 29. s
Driver Azeem Khan, 36 had pulled out of a junction, failing to give way and hitting the motorcycle, with Malachi being thrown onto the opposite side of the road where he was tragically struck by a bus.
Khan did not attempt to stop at the scene, instead driving off in the VW Golf.
Using debris left at the scene, investigators identified the involved car’s make and model before launching an appeal to find it.
A Golf was identified, which when initially examined didn’t appear right, but as investigators dug deeper into the vehicle it became apparent significant changes had been made to it including a replacement bumper.
After a more in-depth examination, it was revealed that the wiring for fog lights no longer on the car was hidden behind the new bumper.
Comparison photographs showed the changes had been made around the time of the collision, while its registration had also been changed.
Khan was arrested after being stopped driving the car, and detectives were able to trace that the vehicle had been parked near his workplace with the damage visible.
Officers went on to prove Khan had bought replacement parts for the VW Golf after the collision, and he was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Khan initially pleaded not guilty however changed his plea to guilty just before the start of his trial.
On Friday, December 16 Khan, of Lewis Road, Coventry, was sentenced to six years in prison and disqualified from driving for nine years at Warwick Crown Court.
Malachi’s family described him as a ‘loving son, brother and partner who was loved by his friends and family.’
“He was always reliable – one of the kindest, generous, sincere, reliable people you would ever meet.
“He enjoyed life to the full and what happened was a huge loss to everyone who knew and loved him.
“As a family we have had to wait over two years for the defendant to finally admit his guilt just a few days before the trial was due to start. Only now can we grieve.’
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the serious collision investigation unit, added: “Khan knew from day one exactly what he had done and then went on to make deliberate attempts to get away with facing justice.
“The grief his callous actions and total lack of thought for anyone but himself has had on Malachi’s loved ones cannot be comprehended.”
