Driver found guilty of manslaughter after hit and run in Luton

A man has been convicted of manslaughter after a pedestrian was killed in a hit and run accident in Luton last year.

Karan Soni, of Hatfield, was found guilty in connection to the incident in Dewsbury Road in November 2021, which led to the death of Tola Piper.

The court heard that Mr Piper, 34, from Bedford, was running alongside a silver Nissan Micra down Dewsbury Road.

A black Vauxhall Insignia drove behind them and hit Mr Piper before colliding with the Micra.

Both vehicles had left the scene prior to emergency services arriving, but Mr Piper was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

Drugs, cash and a machete were found nearby, along with a Vauxhall badge.

Enquiries identified Soni, 27, of Birchwood Avenue, Hatfield, as the registered driver of the Insignia, and he was arrested the following day and subsequently charged with murder.

When the vehicle was seized by police, it was found that the Vauxhall badge was missing and the vehicle had suffered damage to its offside panel, which was consistent with it colliding with the Micra.

Soni had previously pleaded not guilty to murder at an earlier court hearing, but following a two-week trial at Luton Crown Court, he was found guilty of manslaughter on Friday ( October 21).

He also pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, which was related to the incident.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Sadly, Soni’s actions that day caused a man to lose his life.

“I am pleased with the verdict and hopefully Soni will receive a suitable sentence for all the pain he has inflicted on Mr Piper’s family and loved ones, as well as the horror he brought to innocent people who were going about their day and saw this awful incident unfold in front of them.”

> If you witness an accident and are not sure if someone else has already called the police, dial 911 and report it anyway.

Even if you are unsure of the extent of the injuries of the parties involved, if vehicle damage has taken place, the police will make a report.