Teenager jailed following fatal collision in south London
He was found guilty of killing an 81-year-old grandfather in Mitcham
A teenager has been jailed for more than five years after killing an 81-year-old grandfather in a collision in south London in 2019.
Police say 19-year-old Rexon Rebidelmo, from Mitcham, reached speeds of around 80 miles per hour before hitting the car Charles Burcombe and his grandson were travelling in.
Rebidelmo pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving while uninsured and unlicensed.
He appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 12th November where he was sentenced to five years and three months.
How did the crash happen?
On 20th December 2019, Charles had gone out in his car with his grandson to buy baked beans when Rebidelmo hit them with his car.
Charles had pulled up to the junction of Framfield Road and Streatham Road with the intention of turning right.
Rebidelmo had left the traffic lights at the junction of London Road as he turned into Streatham Road and accelerated hard - reaching a speed of 78 mph according to GPS data.
Tracking data also revealed that two seconds before impact the vehicle was travelling at 81 mph. Streatham Road has a 20 mph speed limit.
As Charles began to manoeuvre into the clear road, due to the excessive speed he was travelling at Rebedelmo crashed into the side of Charles's car.
Charles died instantly from the impact. His grandson sustained minor injuries.
'Speeding can have fatal consequences'
Detective Constable Victor Barkes from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, who led the investigation said:
"This is a heartbreaking and tragic case where an innocent man has lost his life and the lives of so many others have been shattered by the careless and dangerous actions of Rexon Rebidelmo. I hope that today’s outcome can provide some comfort at this incredibly difficult time.
"Rebidelmo showed plain disregard for the lives of others as he drove at excessive speeds along 20mph roads. When he saw Charles' car it was too late, he was driving too fast to avoid hitting Charles and his grandson. As this case tragically underscores, speeding can have fatal consequences."