Speeding driver who fled from scene of collision jailed

A Loughborough man whose speeding led to a fatal collision in 2020 was jailed for more than three years on Friday (27 January).

Just after midnight on Sunday 17 May that year, Catalin Barladeanu (pictured) was driving a Mercedes car along Ashby Road in Loughborough.

A BMW was also being driven along the road at the same time by 34-year-old Oliver Dolici.

During the journey, the BMW left the road and collided with a wall and five stationary vehicles. Mr Dolici sustained serious injuries and died at the scene.

Barladeanu left the scene of the collision before the emergency services arrived. He later returned to the location and claimed he knew nothing about the incident until he had been informed by another person and had come to check on Mr Dolici.

An investigation showed that Barledeanu and Mr Dolici had been at a barbecue nearby and they both left at the same time, travelling in convoy along the A512.  Reports suggested that they may have been racing.

The forensic investigation of Mr Dolici’s vehicle confirmed that he may have been driving at speeds of up to 90mph on a 30mph road just before the collision occurred.

Barladeanu was arrested the following day on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.  He was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

Following an extensive investigation, Barladeanu, 24, of Burder Street, Loughborough, was charged earlier last year.

After a trial at Leicester Crown Court he was found guilty by a majority verdict of causing death by dangerous driving.

Today he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.  Upon release from prison he faces a two-year ban from driving and will be required to complete an extended test.

Detective Constable Maggie Langton from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “The tragic circumstances of this collision show the devastation that drinking and speeding can have on individuals and their loved ones.

“A life was lost and another person now faces a term in prison for his actions. Not only did Barladeanu leave the scene of the collision but he then tried to cover his tracks by denying he was ever at the location or driving at the time. 

“We are pleased that this case has now concluded and we hope this gives him the time now to reflect on his actions and the consequences.

“We continue to educate and inform drivers of their obligations when they decide to get behind the wheels of a vehicle.  Speeding is one of the Fatal 4 offences, along with using a mobile phone while driving, drink driving and not wearing a seatbelt. These actions are all known to cause serious injury or death.

“We carry out operations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland throughout the year to reiterate our safety message and to help prevent drivers from committing these offences.

“Please do think before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle and do think about your actions when driving and the danger you may be putting yourself and other road users in and the devastation it could cause. For more information regarding road safety visit Road safety | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)”