Bognor Regis man jailed for five years for A27 collision that led to the death of his friend

A man from Bognor Regis has been sent to prison for five years for causing the death of his friend and seriously injuring another in a collision in Fontwell, police said.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A man from Bognor Regis has been sent to prison for five years for causing the death of his friend and seriously injuring another in a collision in Fontwell, police said.

Ruan Soares, 27, of Bursledon Close, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, March 26, after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police said on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at around 11.30pm, police attended a single vehicle collision on the A27 between Fontwell and Tangmere.

Ruan Soares (Picture: Sussex Police)Ruan Soares (Picture: Sussex Police)
Ruan Soares (Picture: Sussex Police)

A white Seat Leon, being driven by Soares, was travelling eastbound in excess of 100mph before it left the carriageway and collided with a tree, a police statement said.

Soares and a back seat passenger in the car suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital.

Police said 23-year-old Weverton Alprandi, from Bognor Regi,s was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At sentencing Judge Hetherington said: “This was a very bad case indeed of causing death by dangerous driving.

The Fontwell collision (Picture: Sussex Police)The Fontwell collision (Picture: Sussex Police)
The Fontwell collision (Picture: Sussex Police)

“You were going at an excessive speed at the time of the collision and for some considerable distance before.

“You reached a speed well in excess of 100mph on a dual carriageway in wet conditions, were driving on the wrong side of the road and drove over a hatched area to overtake a line of cars.”

Police said Soares was sentenced to five years for causing death by dangerous driving and three years for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, to run concurrently.

He also received a 90 month driving ban.

The Fontwell collision (Picture Sussex Police)The Fontwell collision (Picture Sussex Police)
The Fontwell collision (Picture Sussex Police)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Investigating Officer Gemma Clarke added: “This case highlights the seriousness of driving dangerously for the road conditions at excess speeds.

“The consequences of Soares’ actions have been devastating. No sentence will ever reflect the sadness and loss of Weverton’s life. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The brother of Weverton has released the following tribute: “Weverton was a lovely brother, not only for myself and his sister but for all his friends and family.

“He was someone that was always there when help was needed.

“It’s hard to believe you are now gone. Pictures and memories will be the only things left until we meet again in heaven.”