Man jailed for killing woman in 140mph Christmas crash

A man has been jailed for 12 years for killing a woman in a high-speed car crash in north London on Christmas Day 2022.

Evan Forde, 32, from Bedford, was driving at speeds of up to 140mph on Hendon Way, Brent Cross, when he crashed into the back of a BMW.

Maria Carolina Do Nascimento, 22, a passenger in the BMW, died at the scene.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey, Forde was told by Judge Philip Katz KC that he “did absolutely nothing” to assist the police or to bring closure to the family of Ms Nascimento.

Forde previously pleaded guilty to causing Ms Nascimento’s death by dangerous driving.

In mitigation, Tasmin Malcolm, for the defence, said Forde had shown “true and genuine remorse” for his actions.

However, the court heard that the defendant had given two “no comment” interviews to police after the crash.

Judge Katz KC said the fact Ms Nascimento’s family and friends “have had to wait nearly three years for Maria’s killer to be brought to justice is shameful”.

He went on to criticise the defendant for failing to assist the police investigation, adding that Forde’s “unforthcoming attitude” had meant further forensic work had to be undertaken.

Prosecution barrister Frederick Hookway said CCTV and video from Forde’s phone that had been found in the car showed he had been at a nightclub in Camden in the hours before the incident.

Mr Hookway told the court that Forde had 10 previous convictions for 14 offences including dangerous driving and that at the time of the collision, he was on bail having been charged with failing to provide a specimen.

The court heard that shortly before the crash, police officers on patrol in a marked vehicle had indicated for the defendant’s car to stop.

However, the vehicle drove off from police and there was no pursuit.

Less than a minute later, he crashed into the BMW Ms Nascimento was travelling in.

In a victim impact statement read on her behalf, Ms Nascimento’s mother Clezi Felizari described her daughter as someone with a “generous heart” who “touched everyone around her”.