Driver flees UK after guilty verdict over crash that killed veterinary nurse

A driver who killed a veterinary nurse in a head-on crash has fled the UK and gone on the run with his family after being found guilty.

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 46-year-old Rachel Radwell.

She died 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.

It is believed he fled the country soon afterwards while on bail, Cambridgeshire Police said, and this can now be reported after the judge lifted a reporting restriction.

Kiminius was sentenced in his absence at Peterborough Crown Court in May to four years and six months in prison.

Sergeant Mark Dollard said: “It is believed Vytautas Kiminius 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 upsetting for Rachel Radwell’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”.

She said Kiminius, of Sudbury Court, Peterborough, has two young children.

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 sorely missed,” he said.

He jailed Kiminius for four years and six months for causing death by dangerous driving, and nine months for driving while uninsured, to run concurrently.

The parents of Miss Radwell said in a statement issued by police: “As a family we are very disappointed to hear that Kiminius has absconded and has not gone to prison to serve his sentence following the death of our daughter.

“We still 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.”

Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, said: “Some very serious questions need to be answered by the police as to why such a dangerous man has managed to flee the country despite being tagged and handing in his travel documents.

“We need to make sure that lessons are learned to prevent others absconding in this way.

“I have already spoken with my local police and will urgently be speaking with the Police Minister Kit Malthouse MP.”