Teenager's Medical Dreams Cut Short by 'Maniac' Driver
Aspiring doctor Ashton Kitchen-White had his promising future brutally ended when he was struck by a car travelling at nearly three times the speed limit in what a judge described as a display of "utterly irresponsible" driving.
The 19-year-old, who had recently enrolled at Leeds University to pursue his ambition of becoming a doctor, died instantly from catastrophic injuries after being hit by a Ford Focus ST driven by Regan Kemp, 26.
The collision occurred on May 16 this year in Middleton, Leeds, where Kemp was recorded driving at 80mph on a 30mph road. A backseat passenger captured the incident on a mobile phone, with one witness describing Kemp's driving as "like a maniac" moments before the fatal impact.
Family's Heartbreaking Statements Read in Court
During the emotional sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court, statements from Ashton's devastated parents were read aloud, revealing the profound impact of their loss.
His mother, Hayley White, wrote: "I can't describe the devastation of the loss of my sweet boy. My life is over - my heart and soul died with him and nothing will ever be the same again."
She described how she still says good morning and good night when passing his bedroom, adding: "I can't breathe. I would give anything to take his place."
His father, Andrew Kitchen, expressed his anguish at being unable to protect his son: "A big part of me died with Ashton. As his dad I was meant to protect him, and I could not do that. It will continue to haunt me until the day I die."
Driver's Lack of Remorse Condemned by Judge
Following a four-day trial, the jury took less than two hours to unanimously find Kemp guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard how Kemp initially denied being behind the wheel and attempted to blame his friend for the incident.
Judge Neil Clark delivered a scathing assessment of Kemp's behaviour, stating: "You sought to blame an obviously innocent man. You ran this case, despite what seems to me to be the strongest of evidence."
The judge highlighted Kemp's complete lack of remorse, noting: "Never once have you admitted what you did. Never once have you expressed any remorse. Never once have you said you made a mistake."
Kemp was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison and received a driving ban of more than 17 years. The judge pointedly remarked that Kemp would "never contribute to society" in the way that Mr Kitchen-White, with his medical career ahead of him, would have done.
After Kemp handed himself into police days following the incident, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence including phone footage from the vehicle and expert calculations confirming the excessive speed.
The case has highlighted the devastating consequences of dangerous driving on residential roads, leaving a family shattered and a community mourning the loss of a young man with a bright future.
