Teen driver killed grandfather after speeding at 81mph in 20mph zone

A teenage driver killed a grandfather seconds after being clocked at a speed of 81mph in a 20mph zone.

Rexon Rebidelmo, 19, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court last Friday to five years and three months in prison for killing 81-year-old Charles Burcombe.

The teenager was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while uninsured and unlicensed.

His vehicle struck a car being driven by Mr Burcombe on Streatham Road in Mitcham, south west London, on 20 December 2019.

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Redidelmo slammed on the brakes but was still driving at 56mph when his car hit the other vehicle.

Mr Burcombe, who died instantly, had gone out in his car with his 12-year-old grandson to buy some baked beans.

His grandson suffered minor injuries in the crash, which happened at about 3.40pm.

Mr Burcombe had pulled up to a junction, ready to turn right, but as he began to manoeuvre his car into the clear road, Rebidelmo crashed into the side of the vehicle.

According to GPS data, which was used to track the movements of the car leading up to the fatal collision, Rebidelmo had been driving around the local area, accelerating to high speeds on streets that had a limit of 20mph.

The data showed that when Rebidelmo turned into the same road as Mr Burcombe, he had reached a speed of 78mph.

Just two seconds before the crash, Rebidelmo was travelling at 81mph, more than four times the speed limit.

Rebidelmo, from Eastfields in Mitcham, was arrested by officers at the scene.

When questioned by the Metropolitan Police, Rebidelmo answered “No comment” to all questions put to him during an interview.

In a police statement, Detective Constable Victor Barkes from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, 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’s 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.”

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