Sonny Horsfall, 18, was jailed for three years after ploughing his newly purchased Audi A4 into an 84-year-old man in Redcar, North Yorkshire, and fleeing the scene. He later texted a friend saying 'I've killed someone' and ordered pizza less than two hours after the crash.
Crash Details and Aftermath
On April 22, at around 10:23pm, Horsfall lost control of his black Audi A4 on West Dyke Road. The vehicle flew over a patch of grass, hit a tree, and then struck the pensioner, who was walking along a footpath. The victim was 'thrown into the air,' according to prosecutor Elisha Marsay at Durham Crown Court. The court heard that the front wheel of the Audi was hanging off, orange sparks were coming from the vehicle, and the windscreen was smashed.
Horsfall, who was already disqualified from driving, had bought the car from a friend for £250 at 6pm that evening. He fled the scene immediately after the crash. A neighbour discovered the victim lying on the grass and began screaming, prompting an ambulance call.
Text Messages and Behavior
At 11pm, Horsfall messaged the friend who sold him the car, saying he had 'lost control' and 'hit someone.' He wrote: 'I'm going to get seriously f***** for it. Bro, the man got smashed. He's bad, bro. I think I killed him.' In a Snapchat message to another friend, he said: 'Bro, I'm going to jail. I've killed someone. I hit someone in a car. Hit an old man, his head smashed the windscreen. My DNA all over the car. I smashed my face off the wheel. I ripped the key out and then I ran off.'
Earlier that evening, Horsfall had driven over 30 miles to Redcar, recording Snapchat videos en route. One video showed him driving at 48mph over speed bumps on Skelton High Street, with captions like 'Smoke 'em boys' and 'F*** the red lights, you're getting dusted.'
Victim's Injuries and Recovery
The 84-year-old victim suffered serious injuries, including damage to his hip, broken bones in his back, and a broken foot. He required surgery to rebuild his hip and was placed in an induced coma. He has since recovered enough to walk short distances with a walking frame. In a statement, the widower said: 'I was a fit, healthy and independent 84-year-old man. I was able to cook for myself, drive, and go out and meet people. The loss of my independence and dignity has been one of the hardest consequences of this incident. I really miss being able to get out and about as I used to.'
Sentencing and Court Remarks
Horsfall, of Ryedale View in Kirkbymoorside, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance, and failing to stop after a road traffic accident. He was sentenced to three years in prison and disqualified from driving for four years. Judge Christopher Knox told Horsfall he had behaved 'with wickedness and stupidity,' noting that the friend who sold the Audi 'made it clear that it was not in proper order.'
Defence barrister Kelly Clarke said Horsfall is 'suffering from PTSD and is not sleeping,' and that he had taken 'two pregabalin' tablets before the crash. She added: 'Custody has been a shock to him. He's been assaulted. Someone took a blade to his face and he required 16 stitches.'
Detective Constable Rachael Johnson said: 'This was a shocking and wholly avoidable collision which has left an 84-year-old man with serious injuries while simply walking home on the pavement. It is hoped the sentence handed to Sonny Horsfall today serves as a clear reminder of the consequences of disregarding the rules of the road. Driving is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right.'
