A driver from Shepherd’s Bush has been apprehended after being involved in a hit-and-run collision with a van on the M25 last year. The driver’s identity was uncovered through forensic evidence found on the deployed airbag of the vehicle.

The incident unfolded shortly after midnight on Thursday, January 12, 2023, when a grey BMW 520D, travelling along the M25 towards the M11 at junction 27 on the Essex border, collided with an Iveco Daily van. The collision resulted in significant damage to both vehicles, with the van being forced onto its side and the van driver sustaining minor injuries. The BMW driver fled the scene following the collision.

Despite the collision not being reported immediately, the registered owner of the BMW was issued a notice of intended prosecution. Subsequently, the owner provided the name of an unknown individual, claiming to have sold the vehicle days before the incident.

However, forensic analysis of the deployed airbag from the BMW’s steering wheel revealed saliva belonging to Iram Boubekeur, leading to his identification as the driver. Boubekeur was found guilty of several offences, including failing to nominate the driver, failing to stop and report a collision, careless driving, and leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position, during a court hearing in August 2023.

At a recent sentencing hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, February 22, 22-year-old Iram Boubekeur, residing in Emlyn Road, Shepherd’s Bush, was ordered to serve 300 hours of community service, disqualified from driving for nine months and fined a total of £224 for failing to stop and failing to report the collision within 24 hours. Additionally, he received six penalty points on his driving license for failing to nominate the correct driver.

PC Joe Goodwin, the officer handling the case, commented, “Iram Boubekeur went to great lengths to avoid being identified as the driver at the time of the collision, and even denied the offence right up to the last minute. He claims to have panicked and fled, but he was complicit in trying to avoid interactions with police. But given the forensic evidence, he couldn’t deny driving the car.”

As the case concludes, authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to road traffic regulations and the serious consequences of attempting to evade responsibility following a collision.