UK Man Gets Prison For Leaving Scene Of Accident, Fleeing US

ORANGETOWN, NY — A tourist behind the wheel at the time of a horrific wrong-way, hit-and-run crash in Rockland County, will be staying in the U.S. for some time, albeit behind bars.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II announced that 22-year-old Thomas Robb, of the United Kingdom, was sentenced on Thursday after previously pleading guilty to an indictment charging him with three counts of second-degree assault, three counts of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury, two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of leaving the scene of an incident causing physical injury, and reckless driving.

At the time of his sentencing, the DA's Office recommended a sentence of two years in prison.

After listening to the victim's mother and grandmother's victim impact statements, including the grandmother's plea, "These children will never have a childhood…put him in jail…I need for this court to make him take full responsibility," the court sentenced Robb to 364 days on each count of the 11-count indictment to run concurrently with each other.

SEE ALSO: Vacationer From The UK Accused In Crash That Injured 14

On July 30, 2022, Robb drove in the wrong direction down a one-way street on North Greenbush Road and continued onto Route 303 in Blauvelt, in the wrong direction and into oncoming traffic. While traveling at excessive speeds between 49 to 60 mph, his vehicle, a BMW SUV, struck a 2017 Chevrolet Cruz which then ricocheted into a 2021 Dodge Charger carrying several people, including children.

Robb exited his vehicle and fled the scene without displaying a license or any identification. He was soon captured nearby by a police officer from the Town of Orangetown Police Department.

Robb was charged in the Town of Orangetown Justice Court with leaving the scene of an incident, second-degree assault, and related charges. He was arraigned on the charges on July 30, 2022, and initially remanded to the Rockland County Jail on $25,000 bail. That bail was subsequently posted the following day, and he was released.

However, on August 2, 2022, prosecutors alleged that Robb used his twin brother's passport and posed as him to flee the U.S., by boarding a flight from the Baltimore/Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland to London.

Robb was subsequently indicted by a Rockland County grand jury and an arrest warrant was issued. The DA's Office began extradition proceedings in 2023 with assistance from the United States Department of Justice, resulting in Robb's extradition back to the U.S. in January of this year.

"The very moving statements of the child victim’s mother and grandmother passionately articulated the pain and suffering of the young victims in this case," DA Walsh said. "The Rockland County District Attorney's Office took all steps, including international extradition, to bring this defendant to justice. We will not tolerate anyone who flees from the jurisdiction of our courts. Our prayers continue for the health and welfare of the victims."

"I would like to especially thank our partners in the United States Department of Justice for all of their assistance with this case," he added.