Two Albanian men appear in court accused over hit and run that killed ex-dentist, 89

Two Albanian men have appeared in court accused of removing and dumping number plates from a car involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed an 89-year-old man.

Grandfather-of-four Thomas Wallace was struck by a grey Mercedes estate car on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent, just after 12pm on Monday. 

The retired dentist’s body was then carried on the roof of the car and was later found on the ground more than a mile away from the crash, according to Kent Police. 

A postman and a nearby resident came to his aid, but paramedics pronounced Mr Wallace dead at the scene. 

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

Albert Matraxhiu, 28, of Orange Hill Road in Edgware, north London, has been charged with death by dangerous driving, intention to pervert the course of justice, driving with no insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, failure to stop after an accident and failure to report an accident. 

Erald Paci, 29, of Five Ways Court in Chatham, Kent, has been charged with intention to pervert the course of justice. 

Both defendants have been remanded in custody and are due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court in Kent on January 30. 

Tributes have been paid to grandfather-of-four Thomas Wallace, who was struck by a grey Mercedes estate car on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent, just after 12pm on Monday

Emergency services rushed to the incident on the A289 Gads Hill at around 12.10pm as paramedics treated the casualty who was later pronounced dead

The two men have pending immigration status.

Paci has previously been deported from the UK and has been awaiting a decision from the Home Office while Matraxhiu is subject to failed immigration status.

Now Mr Wallace’s family has issued a statement, via Kent Police, paying tribute to him and telling how he was a father of three, a grandfather of four and recently a great-grandfather.

They said: ‘He loved his family dearly and was loved by them in return.

‘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.

‘The residents and postman who tried to help in Grange Road were compassionate and kind. Our thanks and appreciation go out to them.’

Pictured: Police cordoned off the junction in Gillingham following the fatal collision

Emergency services attended the incident at about 12.10pm on Monday, with paramedics treating Mr Wallace at the scene.

The incident sparked a major emergency services response with more than 20 police, fire and ambulance vehicles sent, as well as the air ambulance and police helicopter. 

Local resident Ralph Belmonte said the victim was found by a postman outside his home, more than a mile away from the collision. 

Mr Belmonte said: ‘The air ambulance landed in the field nearby and they had drones and police dogs searching.

‘This lane has always been isolated and there have been some incidents, but nothing to this scale.

‘The police and ambulance crews were so quick. There were around 20 cars here. The emergency response was well co-ordinated.’

A resident of Gads Hill, close to where the man was hit, said roads were closed off until 6pm on the day of the incident.

She added: ‘They were cordoned off for hours. I was driving home and saw they had shut the carriageway on the other side. It is horrendous.’