Soldier killed after 'speeding driver sent him flying 50ft into the air'

Left for dead: Coldstream Guards soldier Ben Regan
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Jamie Micklethwaite26 September 2016
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A soldier was killed after a hit-and-run driver knocked him 50ft into the air, a court heard.

Jake Polmeer, 27, is accused of causing the death by careless driving of Coldstream Guards soldier Ben Regan, 20, who had been walking in the middle of the road.

Prosecutor Robert Pawson told Winchester Crown Court that Mr Regan had just stepped out of Joules wine bar in Reigate town centre and walked into Bell Street while talking on his phone when he was struck by a Mini Cooper being driven by the defendant on June 20 last year.

He said experts had estimated the car was being driven at least 36mph in the 30mph zone at the time of the accident, which happened at about 2am as the bar was emptying.

Mr Pawson said that after the crash, Polmeer, with his girlfriend, Danielle Frost, in the passenger seat, did not stop and drove to his home in Redhill.

He said: "Ben Regan was knocked out of his shoes. What did he do after he sent Mr Regan skidding across the tarmac? He didn't stop, he didn't brake, he didn't even apply the brakes.

"He knew he was at fault and needed to get away.

"Ben Regan had walked several paces in the road to the point where he was standing on the broken white lines in the middle of the road. Not one of the witnesses heard screeching brakes or a horn."

Mr Pawson said the car swerved following the impact and collided with the kerb before driving on.

He added that the vehicle, with a smashed windscreen and dented roof, was found the following day at the defendant's home after a neighbour informed police.

Polmeer later handed himself in, the court was told.

The defendant told police he had drunk one or two pints of Amstel lager and, explaining why he drove away, he said: "I hit him, I freaked out, I did something stupid and drove off."

He added: "Pure shock. I didn't know what had happened. Well I did but I didn't know what to do."

Polmeer also said Mr Regan had run into the road, which Mr Pawson said was contradicted by the other witnesses who said he had walked out.

Polmeer denies the charge and the case continues.

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