Bognor man jailed for fatal A27 Fontwell crash

Ruan Soares sentenced for causing death of his friend and seriously injuring another

Author: Mike DraperPublished 9th Apr 2021

27 year old Ruan Soares, of Bursledon Close in Bognor Regis, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 26 March 2021.

He had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

HORRIFIC FONTWELL CRASH

On Saturday 28 September, 2019, at around 11.30pm, Police were called to repond to a single vehicle collision on the A27 between Fontwell and Tangmere.

A white Seat Leon, being driven by Soares, had been travelling eastbound at more than 100mph before it left the carriageway and collided with a tree.

Soares and a rear seated passenger in the car suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital.

Ruan Soares was sentenced following the crash in West Sussex back in September 2019

DEADLY 100MPH SMASH

Tragically 23-year-old Weverton Alprandi from Bognor Regis was pronounced dead at the scene.

At sentencing Judge Hetherington said:

"This was a very bad case indeed of causing death by dangerous driving. You were going at an excessive speed at the time of the collision and for some considerable distance before."

"You reached a speed well in excess of 100mph on a dual carriageway in wet conditions, were driving on the wrong side of the road and drove over a hatched area to overtake a line of cars."

Soares was sentenced to five years for causing death by dangerous driving and three years for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, to run concurrently. He also received a 90 month driving ban.

The car was completely destroyed after crashing on the A27

Investigating Officer Gemma Clarke said:

"This case highlights the seriousness of driving dangerously for the road conditions at excess speeds. The consequences of Soares' actions have been devastating. No sentence will ever reflect the sadness and loss of Weverton’s life. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

VICTIM FAMILY TRIBUTE

The brother of Weverton has released the following tribute:

"Weverton was a lovely brother, not only for myself and his sister but for all his friends and family. He was someone that was always there when help was needed. It's hard to believe you are now gone. Pictures and memories will be the only things left until we meet again in heaven."

"It's hard to believe you are now gone. Pictures and memories will be the only things left until we meet again in heaven."

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