A teenager who caused a fatal crash while racing at speeds of up to 100mph and filming the reckless stunt on Snapchat has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.
Jayden Lee Humberstone, 19, lost control of his Vauxhall Corsa on the A46 near Lincoln, crashing into a tree and killing his 18-year-old passenger, Ethan Ross. The pair had been racing another car moments before the collision.
A Deadly Joyride
Lincoln Crown Court heard how Humberstone and Ross had been part of a group of young drivers engaging in dangerous racing behaviour. The defendant was seen weaving in and out of traffic at excessive speeds while recording the stunt on his phone.
Prosecutor Michael Cranmer-Brown described how Humberstone's Corsa "left the carriageway, struck a tree and rotated before coming to rest in a field". Ross died at the scene from catastrophic injuries.
Devastating Consequences
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight sentenced Humberstone to six years in a young offenders' institution, stating: "No sentence I pass can begin to reflect the loss suffered by Ethan's family."
The judge emphasised the aggravating factors, including:
- Excessive speed (nearly double the 60mph limit)
- Filming the dangerous driving for social media
- Previous speeding convictions
- Carrying a passenger
Humberstone was also banned from driving for nine years and must take an extended retest.
A Mother's Anguish
Ethan's mother, Claire Ross, delivered a heartbreaking victim impact statement in court: "My world ended that day. I will never see my son get married or have children. Every day is a struggle."
The case has prompted renewed calls for tougher penalties for dangerous driving and greater awareness about the consequences of irresponsible behaviour on the roads.
