Shocking moment man hit by car in hit and run during police chase in Uxbridge

Matt Watts30 October 2020
WEST END FINAL

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Shocking footage shows the moment a pedestrian is mowed down at a zebra crossing by a car during a police chase and left with life-changing injuries.

The Met Police released the footage with the permission of the victim who was struck by Nahome Rezene who had been travelling at speeds of up to 80mph to evade police in West London.

Rezene was jailed for five years on Wednesday, September 30,  for dangerous driving and failing to stop or report a collision and possession of drugs.

Officers had attempted to flag down his blue Mercedes in Uxbridge during proactive patrols targeting burglars but he refused to stop.

Nahome Rezene was jailed for five years following the hit and run
Met Police handout

The suspect’s vehicle continued on Harefield Road and upon reaching the junction at Uxbridge High Street hit the victim who was on a zebra crossing.

The pursuing officers stopped to tend to the victim who had managed to move himself  onto the pavement. They provided first aid and looked after the victim until colleagues from London Ambulance Service (LAS) arrived.

Although the pursuit had ended, Rezene continued to drive recklessly and at considerable speed before he collided with another vehicle and a London bus, causing further injuries to two victims. Those victims were also taken to hospital.

The collisions left the Mercedes Rezene was driving so badly damaged that he fled the scene on foot, dropping his coat. The coat was found by a police dog as part of the manhunt to locate him.

Additional police officers arrived at scene of the crash and found heroin valued at £2,500 inside the Mercedes.

During a CCTV trawl of the incident the suspect was also seen to have thrown something out of the vehicle window during the pursuit. It was later established that he had thrown cocaine from the window, which was recovered by officers and valued at approximately £12,500.

An investigation was launched during which Rezene was identified via CCTV and was arrested on Thursday, January 2 at Hayes Police Station after he handed himself in at the front counter.  

Appearing at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 14 August, Rezene entered a guilty plea to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of a class B drug as well as other driving offences.

The victim who was run over during the pursuit attended the sentencing and praised the police for their investigation which brought him justice.

PC Kevin McLean from West Area CID said, “This was a very complex and serious investigation, which my team and I were determined to solve.

“The CCTV footage of Rezene’s driving is horrendous and my heart goes out to the victim who suffered life changing injuries.  

“The overwhelming evidence that we gathered against Rezene and presented in court left him no option but to plead guilty. This spared the victim having to relive the incident at trial.  

“Drugs supply is linked to violence in all its guises and we are steadfast in our determination to protect the public and make London safe for all our communities.”  

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