Two grieving families have slammed a four-year jail sentence handed to a hit-and-run driver who killed cousins as they crossed a road hand-in-hand.
Gabor Hegedus, 38, ploughed into Zaneta Krokova, 11, and Helena Kotlorova, 12, as they crossed Ashton Road, in Oldham, on New Year’s Eve.
Helena, a pupil at Collective Spirit School in Oldham , died at the scene while Zaneta, who attended Oasis Academy, lost her fight for life two days later in hospital.
On Thursday Hegedus, who was living in Oldham but originally from Hungary, was jailed for four years at Minshull Street Crown Court after he had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, failing to stop after a collision, failing to report a collision, driving without a licence and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The court heard his Peugeot 807 was overtaking another car when it struck the girls, who were on their way home from a local shop, at about 7pm on December 31.
He drove off and, together with his three passengers, reported the car stolen and plotted to give each other false alibis.
They washed the car with bleach before abandoning it. Hegedus even shaved off his beard in the hope he would not be identified from CCTV, but he and his accomplices were later rumbled by detectives.
The police investigation found he had been driving at no less than 40mph although he did brake just before the impact when his Peugot 807 was said to be doing less than 29mph.
Lawyers acting for the families of both the girls, originally from the Czech Republic, were devastated at the length of the sentence.
Milan Kroka, Zaneta’s father, said ‘nothing will ever bring back our daughter and our family is still struggling to come to terms with this devastating tragedy’.
He continued: “Those young girls have been tragically taken from us.
"The incident continues to have a huge impact on mine and the rest of the family’s lives, and ultimately, today’s sentencing will not undo what’s happened.
"Zaneta was so young and full of life. It is still hard to believe at times she is no longer with us.”
Robert Kotlar, Helena’s father, said: “The pain that I and Helena’s mother, Sylva, continue to endure will not diminish as a result of today’s sentencing.
"We acknowledge that sentencing that has been handed down but it does not change the fact that we have been handed a life-sentence and have to live every day without our beloved daughter because of what the driver did.”
David Orsos, 19, Zoltan Peto, 49, and Janos Kalanyos, 50, all of Oldham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Orsos was sent to a Young Offenders Institution for 20 months while Peto was jailed for 25 months and Kalanyos was handed 21 months behind bars.
Richard Biggs, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who represents the families, said: “This is a heart-breaking case where two young, bright stars have sadly been taken away from their families too early.
“At Irwin Mitchell, we see on a daily basis the impact that road accidents have on families and it is crucial that other drivers take note of this case and the consequences of dangerous driving and ensure they take more care on the roads to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in future.
“The family ask that you please respect their privacy as they continue to try and rebuild their lives following their tragic loss.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Sergeant Lee Westhead, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The tragic deaths of Helena and Zaneta were entirely avoidable and now two families have been left without their daughters and sisters.
"What should have been a night of celebrating and happiness became a night of unimaginable heartache and destruction Once again, the actions of one reckless driver has changed the lives of others forever.
“Hegedus has remained utterly remorseless throughout this investigation and repeatedly lied to police about his whereabouts on that night.
“In the hours following the collision, Orsos, Kalanyos and Peto tried to cover up Hegedus’ crime. They knew what he had done and their actions were not only calculated but sinister. I can only hope the families of both girls can now attempt to rebuild their lives.
"I would like to personally thank them for their trust throughout this investigation. Their patience and dignity over the past six months is commendable.”
