Albanian driver admits killing a great-grandfather, 89, in hit-and-run where he was carried on the roof of the car for one and a half miles

Published: 17:25, 3 February 2026 | Updated: 23:09, 3 February 2026

An Albanian driver has admitted killing a great-grandfather after ploughing into him with a Mercedes and driving off.

Dental surgeon Tom Wallace was carried on the roof of the vehicle for one and a half miles before he was found fatally injured on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent at around 12.10pm on December 29.

Albert Matraxhiu, of Orange Hill, Edgware, had previously denied causing Mr Wallace's death by dangerous driving, but today changed his plea to guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

The 29-year-old also admitted driving without insurance, without a licence, failing to stop, and failing to report an accident.

Matraxhiu also admitted perverting the course of justice, while co-defendant Erald Paci, 29, of Five Way Court in Chatham, admitted the same charge.

The men, who are both Albanian nationals, abandoned the car they were in and took the number plates from it [2] after it struck Mr Wallace, the court heard.

A postman and nearby resident noticed Mr Wallace lying on the ground and tried to save him, but the 89-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Mr Wallace's family later paid tribute to the grandfather-of-four who had been married for 63 years and tragically revealed he had become a great-grandad just before his death.

Dental surgeon and grandfather-of-four Tom Wallace died in a hit-and-run on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham at around 12.10pm on December 29

The driver of the Mercedes, 29-year-old Albert Matraxhiu (pictured), has changed his plea to guilty

Passenger, Erald Paci, 29, of Five Way Court in Chatham, (pictured) admitted the charge of perverting the course of justice

Matraxhiu's defence barrister, Laurence Imrie, explained he wanted to enter the guilty plea, after admitting a lesser charge of causing Mr Wallace's death by careless driving on Friday.

At the time of Matraxhiu admitting a lesser charge, prosecutor Ryan Richter said this was 'unacceptable' to the Crown and called for a trial on the more serious dangerous driving charge.

Judge Julian Smith agreed, and a five-day trial had been set to start on July 13 but will no longer go ahead after the change in plea.

Both men have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on March 20 at Maidstone Crown Court by Judge Smith.

Mr Wallace, a dad-of-three who worked in the Medway Towns all his working life, was hit by a Mercedes estate car near the junction of Gads Hill and Waterside Lane.

He was allegedly carried on the roof of the vehicle for one and a half miles before he was found fatally injured in the road.

The car was located nearby and the two occupants fled on foot, police previously added.

Following his death, Mr Wallace's family said: 'He loved his family dearly and was loved by them in return,' they said.

'He sailed his boat up and down the east coast, and across the Channel to France, usually single-handed.

'For years, he was a bell-ringer at the church on Gillingham Green.

He was a Samaritan for many years, raised money for the NSPCC and undertook several European cycling tours to raise funds for Marie Curie.

'He was a respected and loved member of the community and deserved a better end to his life than this.'

They also shared their thanks to the residents and postman who tried to help in Grange Road, describing them as 'compassionate and kind'.

References

^ MOLLY LEE, TRAINEE NEWS REPORTER (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ took the number plates from it (www.dailymail.co.uk)