Dangerous driver jailed after car crash

A dangerous driver who ran from a car crash after inflicting serious injuries on four innocent people has been jailed.

Luke Wells, 31, from Minster was behind the wheel of a speeding red Vauxhall Astra when it smashed into a grey Peugeot being driven by Terrance Brown.

Mr Brown and his wife Susan were on their way to a family wedding anniversary at Sheerness East Working Men’s Club, with their granddaughter Chelsea Brown and her boyfriend Jack Fitzgibbon, in the back at the time of the crash.

CCTV image of Wells' car, right, about to crash into the Browns' car. PIcture: Kent Police

All four were seriously injured. Mrs Brown was initially trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut free by a fire crew.

Wells’ vehicle ended up facing in the opposite direction and the Brown’s car was catapulted into the driveway of a nearby house by the force of the impact.

A court heard that instead of helping his victims, Wells then turned and ran, throwing off his shows as he fled.

Luke Wells arrested at his home in Minster. Picture: Kent Police

Police later tracked him down to his home in Lapwing Close where he initially denied being involved.

The crash happened in Queenborough Road, Halfway, as Mr Brown was turning right into the club’s car park.

Video released by Kent Police shows Wells’ car approaching at 58mph from the direction of the traffic lights and crashing into the passenger seat of Mr Brown’s car, trapping Mrs Brown, at around 7.40pm on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Luke Wells' red car came to rest facing in the opposite direction. Picture: Sheppey Scene

The road, which has a 30mph speed limit, was closed for several hours as rescuers treated the injured and then cleared away the debris.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers attended the scene, along with paramedics and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

“All four occupants of the Peugeot were injured during the collision, including the front seat passenger who received serious, life-threatening injuries including multiple fractures. The driver and another passenger also suffered fractures.”

The Peugeot came to rest in the drive of a nearby house. Picture: Sheppey Scene

Witnesses told officers they had seen the driver of the Astra, later identified as Wells, flee on foot towards the direction of Queenborough, discarding his sandals in a driveway as he ran.

Following enquiries, officers located Wells at his home at 9pm.

He denied being in the car and told officers he had sold it a few days before. He said he had been to the Coop on his pushbike.

Evidence that Wells had tried to change his appearance by shaving off some of his hair and beard was also found when officers discovered a freshly used towel and hair shavings in his bath.

Jailed: driver Luke Wells. Picture: Kent Police

His identity was further corroborated when officers compared pictures witnesses had taken of him at the scene.

Forensic evidence found inside the car also proved he had been in the car at the time of the crash.

Wells was charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Queenborough Road at Halfway was closed following the crash. Picture: Sheppey Scene

On Wednesday (June 3) at Maidstone Crown Court he was sent to prison for three years and 10 months. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing.

He was also banned from driving for four years.

Investigating officer PC Sean Browne said: “Wells has shown himself to have no regard for the welfare of others, thinking only of himself when he decided to leave the scene of the collision.

“He knew exactly what he had done and, by trying to change his appearance, also showed a total disregard for the law.

“I’d like to thank the witnesses in this case who ensured we were able to bring this man to justice.”

According to Kent Online, Mr Brown spent six days in hospital after suffering six broken ribs and a partial collapse of both lungs.

His wife, who had been in the front passenger seat, was airlifted to King's College Hospital in London where she spent four weeks in an induced coma.

Her injuries included a broken collarbone, 12 broken ribs, broken breastbone, broken pelvis and broken left arm. She also suffered a partial lung collapse.

At one stage, doctors told her family to fear for the worst.

Her granddaughter was later diagnosed with concussion, whiplash and bruising.

Her boyfriend sustained fractures to a rib and wrist as well as injuries to a kidney. He spent five days in hospital.

·       Police video of crash and arrest here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY15aJQ9OSE