Joel Franco

Joel Franco, a 48-year-old former taxi driver from Barcarena, was sentenced to 14 years and nine months in prison for the fatal hit-and-run of 21-year-old university student Afonso Gonçalves in Lisbon. Known for his extensive criminal history, which includes a prior conviction for child molestation and multiple traffic violations, Franco did not stop to assist the victim after the accident, which occurred while he was driving under a red light. The case garnered significant media attention due to Franco's disturbing pattern of reckless driving, including previous incidents of fatal accidents.