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Driver Admits Killing Great-Grandad in Hit-and-Run
3 Feb
Summary
- Man guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
- Victim was a dental surgeon and grandfather-of-four.
- Accused driver changed plea to guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.
Albert Matraxhiu has changed his plea to guilty for the death of Tom Wallace, a great-grandad, by dangerous driving. The fatal hit-and-run incident took place on December 29, 2025, around 12:10 PM on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent.
Mr. Wallace, an 89-year-old former dentist, was struck by a Mercedes estate car. He was allegedly carried on the vehicle's roof for one and a half miles before being found fatally injured. Matraxhiu initially denied the charge but admitted a lesser offense of careless driving before changing his plea to guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on February 2, 2026.
Matraxhiu, 29, also admitted to driving without insurance, without a license, failing to stop, and failing to report the accident. His co-defendant, Erald Paci, 29, admitted to perverting the course of justice. Both men are Albanian nationals.
The court heard that after hitting Mr. Wallace, the men abandoned the car and removed its number plates. The Mercedes was later located nearby, and the occupants fled on foot. A trial that had been scheduled for July 13, 2026, will no longer proceed.
Both Matraxhiu and Paci have been remanded in custody. Their sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2026, at Maidstone Crown Court. Mr. Wallace was a respected member of the community, known for his extensive charity work and love for his family. His family expressed gratitude to those who tried to help him at the scene.
