Sussex Police force has released a harrowing video of a fatal crash that killed two in an attempt to remind motorists there’s a reason why the law should be obeyed.
The video shows 20-year-old driver Kyle Careford and 21-year-old Michael Owen speeding through Sussex countryside in a red Renault Clio. Owen had been filming the crash on his smartphone.
The video shows the two laughing while Kyle breaks the speed limit and crosses from one side of the road to another. Owen can then be heard saying in a jokey fashion, “we’re doing 90 mate, slow down”. A few seconds later the video goes black. After a few more sounds it all goes eerily silent.
At this point the Clio had careered off the B2100, crashed into a church wall and overturned in the early hours of Sunday the 12th of April 2015. Both were killed instantly, even though they were wearing seatbelts.
Michael’s phone was found under a tree at the crash scene the following morning.
Sussex Police said the two ‘had both taken a cocktail of prescribed and illegal drugs that would have resulted in severe toxicity and have had a severely detrimental effect on Kyle’s ability to control the car.
It added: ‘This was compounded by his inexperience – he did not have a licence and was uninsured to drive the car, which was owned by Michael.’
The families of the two lads gave Sussex Police permission to publish the video to help prevent others from making the same mistake.
Michael’s mother Kat said at the inquest into their deaths: “I really don’t know why the boys chose to do what they did, but I blame them both for the decisions they made on this night.
“If all this stops one person from making the same mistake, then some good has come from showing this video. I’m hoping it will have an impact on young people and make them see that a bit of fun can have such devastating consequences.
“I would like all the young people out there to take notice and realise that you are not invincible and take seriously how precious your lives are to yourselves and others. I want young drivers to consider how much devastation it causes to the families and loved ones that are left behind.
“Watching the video was very upsetting, but I’m hoping it can be used in a positive way, by showing young people what could happen to them.”
Kyle’s brother, Zac Hemming, said: “This footage or anything of its kind should never be recorded, let alone watched.
“However, despite the pain of it being broadcast by the media, we as a family just hope and pray that this will connect with at least one person out there, young or old, so that no-one ever has to experience the unthinkable pain of losing someone so close and dearly loved.”
He added: “May we now please let the boys rest in peace?”
The video, which was published by Sussex Police on its own website, has since gone viral.
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