Man sentenced following fatal collision in North Elmham

A man has been jailed after he collided with a tree and killed his front seat passenger.

Teegan Brabant, aged 21 and of Litcham Road, Mileham, appeared at King’s Lynn Crown Court today (Friday 24 May 2024) having pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving at an earlier hearing. He has been jailed for six years. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years and told he must take an extended driving test before he can drive again.

The court heard how Brabant had been driving a silver Ford Fiesta in the early hours of Saturday 17 September 2022 when he collided with a tree on the B1110, between the B1145 junction and Hall Road.

Emergency services attended scene and the front seat passenger, 18-year-old Mariana Faustino Valente, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by ambulance with life threatening injuries. She sadly died in the early hours of Monday 19 September 2022.

Both of the rear seat passengers were also injured with one sustaining a fractured wrist.

The rear seat passengers described Brabant’s driving as dangerous and falling below the standard you would expect. Brabant was aware the car had a defect via a deflating tyre. The passengers had witnessed him pumping it up prior to the journey. The vehicle examination also found one of the tyres to be bald with the tread depth well below the legal limit.  

Today (Friday 24 May 2024) Brabant was sentenced to six years in prison and disqualified from driving for eight years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Dave McCormack, said: "Teegan Brabant not only drove recklessly but made reckless choices knowing that his vehicle was in a dangerous condition. 

“He has been described as driving too fast for the wet slippery conditions, with a tyre so bald it would offer no grip on the road surface. His driving cost a young woman her life and injured two other young women, all of which were passengers in the vehicle. 

“As the driver, he was responsible for his passengers, and he made multiple decisions which put them in danger. 

“I would like to commend the courage of both the passengers and Mariana’s family for supporting this investigation and ensuring that she receives the justice she deserves.”

Investigating officer, DC Dylan Thomas added: “This is a tragic case that could have been averted had Mr Brabant driven in accordance with his level of experience and the rules of the road.”