RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 2012 Volume 39, UK and Europe
WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE DRUNK ZIM MAN WHO KILLED OUR SON – UK FAMILY
The family of a young man killed by a drunk Zimbabwean driver say while the killer is now out of jail their pain will never go away.
Njabulo Nyathi got into his Nissan X-Trail and drove for a mile the wrong way down the A13, ignoring drivers trying to warn him and swerving out of his way. He smashed head on into Sam Matkin’s car who died instantly. Nyathi was found to have 244mls of alcohol in his bloodstream – the legal limit is 80mls.
Nyathi was jailed for five years in 2006 and has since been deported to Zimbabwe. The tragedy has left a gaping hole in Sam’s family’s lives.
Sam’s mum Christine Matkin, 60, from Stanford-le-Hope, said: “It still seems like yesterday we lost Sam. People assume because it has been five years now, we should be getting over what happened, but I don’t think I ever will.”
Mrs Matkin said: “It is just such a waste of life – just because this guy decided to have a drink and get into his car.
“There should be zero tolerance when it comes to drink-driving. That is, you cannot have any alcohol and get into a car. There are so many different strengths of wines and beers so people do not know whether they are under or over the limit.”
Mrs Matkin added: “If we can stop just one person from drink- driving it is worth it.” ECHO
