Driver who killed rickshaw passenger faces jail

A driver who killed a rickshaw passenger in a road smash and fled the scene is facing years in jail.

Luis Balcazar Soto, 24, caused the death of Sophie Strickland, 31, when he crashed his Kia Carens into a pedicab in New Kent Road, Southwark, on 10 July.

He also injured rickshaw driver Tanzir Ahmed, in his 30s, in the crash.

Ms Strickland was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Ahmed was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm.

The road was closed for several hours after the incident.

Soto appeared at Southwark Crown Court via video-link from HMP Wandsworth today and admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years jail.

He denied causing death by dangerous driving while unlicensed and uninsured and those charges were ordered to lie on file.

Fiona Robertson, prosecuting, told the court CCTV footage of the crash will be shown at the sentencing hearing.

‘CCTV footage will include the driving, the collision itself and the defendant fleeing the scene, as well as comments the defendant made after the event.’

Judge Deborah Taylor told Soto: ‘As far as this matter is concerned I am going to adjourn this case for 1 November this year. In the meantime you are remanded in custody.

‘That is to obtain a further report and medical evidence in relation to Mr Ahmed’s injuries.

‘I am going to ask the court to provide a CVP link for any of the family of the deceased victim so that they can attend from Wales.’

Soto, of Law Street, Southwark, was remanded in custody ahead of sentence on 1 November.