The family of a 22-year-old killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the A46 paid tribute to their "beloved" son as a man was sentenced to five years in prison for causing his death. Nottinghamshire Police says the man responsible for the crash made the "heartless" choice to flee the scene immediately after the collision, which also left two people with serious injuries.
David Obada was driving his Fiat Punto near Car Colston in Rushcliffe when the driver of a Volkswagen Beetle lost control and ran into the back of him. The Beetle was being driven by Nathan Aitchison, with the car Aitchison was driving belonging to his partner.
After being hit, Mr Obada's car crashed into the central reservation barrier, rolled onto its roof and came to rest sideways in the middle of the dual carriageway without its lights on. The incident took place at around 9.15pm on September 24 last year and later saw a Volkswagen Transporter van striking the Fiat Punto.
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A Land Rover Freelander was also involved in the collision, with Mr Obada being pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash. Mr Obada's family have now paid tribute to him, describing his as having a "sweet face and smile."
A statement from the family ahead of Aitchison's sentencing said: "David left his home when he was 17 years old to build his future and help his family. He was the middle son and was a most beloved son.
"He worked hard to see his dreams come true and to make us as a family proud of him, but everything vanished in a second and we have been left with just memories. He has been taken away from us and from this life too early when his life was just starting.
"We will never forget his sweet face and smile and he will always be with us from between the angels. We will never forget you. God bless you up there in heaven."
Aitchison, of Claydon Road in Leicester, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (July 10) and was sentenced to five years in prison. The 38-year-old initially tried to pin blame for the incident on someone else during his interview with police.
Officers had found him the day after the crash hiding in the loft of a house in Leicester. Aitchison was disqualified from driving at the time of the crash and he later admitted charges of causing death by careless driving and causing death by driving while disqualified
As well as his prison sentence, Aitchison was disqualified from driving for eight years and three months. He will then have to retake his driving test after that.
Investigator Georgina Luke, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Nathan Aitchison was a disqualified driver who should not have been behind the wheel of any vehicle when this tragic collision happened. By driving without passing his test he knowingly put other road users at risk and drove without having the knowledge or experience to do so safely.
"After causing this collision, he then made the heartless decision to flee from the scene of chaos he’d caused, which sadly took a young man’s life. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to David's family and friends and thank them for their support throughout this tough and lengthy investigation.
"They have also asked me to pass on their thanks to all the emergency workers who attended the scene and were involved in the investigation that followed. I hope that anyone thinking of driving whilst disqualified or without a licence will see this case and how serious the consequences can be."
