Six years for hit-and-run driver who left teen as ‘roadkill to die on grass verge’
THIS is the face of a cowardly hit-andrun dad who left a 15-year-old cyclist for dead by the roadside.
The custody photograph was released by Derbyshire police after dad-of-one Milan Gugyel was sentenced to almost six years in prison for killing Adam Barry.
The defendant, of Heanor, had been drinking and was on the phone when he careered into the back of the Sandiacre teen’s BMX, between Borrowash and Risley.
And in an emotional victim impact statement, Adam’s father Peter told how the 34-year-old HGV driver “chose not to stop and left our son to die on a grass verge.”
Jailing Gugyel for five years and 11 months and disqualifying him from driving for five years, Judge Robert Egbuna said: “At around 5pm Adam sat down to have dinner with his family. It was a cheerful occasion full of happy banter.
“At 8.20pm Adam told his parents he was going out on his BMX bike and as he left he pulled a funny face at his parents.
“This would be the last memory they would have before the tragic events unfolded.
“Your actions led to the tragic loss of a young man’s life.
“He had a bright future and a loving family and it is inconceivable you would not have known you had collided with Adam, a vulnerable road user.
“Your only thought was to save yourself, you went home and made no attempt to call the police or emergency services.
“Peter Barry, Adam’s father, arrived at the scene and cried out ‘no, don’t take my boy.’
“He said he could see his son dying in front of his eyes and you have left Adam’s family wondering if his life could have been saved if you had stopped and called for help.”
Derby Crown Court heard how Gugyel had been ignoring Government lockdown restrictions drinking alcohol at a “mini street party”, before deciding to get behind the wheel of his partner’s Audi
A2.
Leaving the gathering in Draycott, the defendant phoned a friend before careering into the back of the bike.
Rather than stop, try to help, or call the emergency services, the defendant instead drove home to Heanor knowing he would be prosecuted and lose his job as an HGV driver as a consequence.
And in a victim impact statement, read to the court, Adam’s father bravely fought back tears as he said: “Every morning we wake up with the reality he has gone. “In April 2020, the country was in lockdown, none of us were able to leave the house, the roads were empty and an HGV driver got into a car, a lethal weapon being driven dangerously on the road when it should not have been.
“He hit him and chose not to stop and left our son to die on a grass verge.
“Adam deserved much better, he was left as roadkill by someone who should not have been on the roads.” Laura Pitman, prosecuting, said the collision took place in Derby Road, between Borrowash and Risley just after 9pm on Saturday, April 25, 2020.
She said Adam had been out for ride on his bike after having dinner with his family and was heading back to his home when his BMX was struck from behind by Gugyel, of Holmesfield Drive.
Miss Pitman said: “The prosecution say while under the influence of alcohol and while distracted by the call to his friend, the defendant did not see Adam and drove straight into the back of Adam’s bike sadly causing his death.”
“The crown say the reason he left (the scene), not even calling for medical assistance was that he was concerned he was over the legal limit and he knew he was on his phone. We also say he knew of the consequences of the offence.
“He knew it would lead to a disqualification and he would lose his employment as an HGV driver.”
Gugyel pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Saul Brody, mitigating, said his client grew up in Hungary and has lived in the UK for 10 years where he has led a crime-free life until this conviction.
He said: “The loss to Adam’s family is literally unimaginable and there can be nobody who has not been profoundly moved by the statement read by Adam’s father with such quiet dignity.
“The defendant heard that too and he wants to say, knowing it cannot heal the harm he’s caused, that he is truly sorry to all those deeply affected by his actions.”