The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
PARENTS’ ANGUISH AS KILLER DRIVER GOES ON THE RUN
RACHEL’S FAMILY WANT JUSTICE:
The family of a Peterborough veterinary nurse killed by a dangerous driver who then fled the country have said his disappearance has made the death ‘even worse to bear.’
Vytautas Kiminius, 35, was at the wheel of a Range Rover Sport when he took a “racing line” through a corner and ploughed into the Ford Fiesta being driven by popular vet 46-year-old Rachel Radwell.
Shedied of her injuries following the crash on the B1095 near Peterborough in the early hours of November 12 2018.
Kiminius admitted on the first day of his trial in February to driving while uninsured and was found guilty of causing Miss Radwell’s death by dangerous driving.
But he fled the country before he could be sentenced, and is still on the run.
Rachel’s parents said: “Asa family wear every disappointed to heart hat Kiminius has absconded and has not gone to prison to serve his sentence following the death of our daughter. Westill miss Rachel every day and probably never will come to terms with what has happened and this only makes it worse to bear. It has been very traumatic for us all and we hope he is found very soon so justice can be served.”
The Peterborough Telegraph was in court as Ki mini us was sentenced in his absence at Peterborough Crown Court in May to four years and six months in prison, but was unable to report he was missing due to the reporting restriction.
It is believed Kiminius, who was living in Sudbury Court, Peterborough, fled the country soon afterwards while on bail, Cambridgeshire Police said, and this can now be reported after the judge lifted a reporting restriction.
Sergeant Mark Dollard said: “It is believed Vytautas
Ki mini us left the country soon after his conviction.
“He was bailed to reappear for sentencing with conditions including a surety, surrender of travel documents and electronic tagging.
“Police were made aware of breaches to his tagging and identified at an early stage he and his family fled the family home and are believed to have left the country.
“Kiminius then subsequently failed to attend his sentencing hearing.
“Efforts are ongoing to locate him and a European Arrest Warrant has been issued.
“The fact he left the country before he could be sentenced has been incredibly up setting for Rachel Rad well’ s family. We are still engaging with the family through specially- trained officers and they have asked for their privacy to be respected.
“It is extremely frustrating Kiminius has absconded and I urge anyone who has information concerning his whereabouts to contact Cambridgeshire Constabulary, quoting Op Berkeley.”
David Matthew, prosecuting, told the earlier sentencing hearing that Kiminius took a “racing line” though a corner and struck Miss Radwell’s vehicle head-on.
He added that the defendant was driving “rapidly” and “to maintain that sort of speed he cut across the road assuming there was no oncoming traffic”.
Claire Davies, mitigating, said the prosecution accepted it was “not a case of greatly excessive speed, racing or competitive driving”.
Judge Sean Enright, sentencing, said Miss Radwell was a “much-loved daughter and aunt” whose funeral was attended by more than 200 people.
“I know she is so rely missed,” he said.