Washington driver hit speeds of 105mph before seriously injuring friends in horror A19 crash
A reckless driver stole his mother's car and took his girlfriend and friends on a high-speed drive before crashing and leaving them with horrific injuries. Jake Clapham-Richmond took his parent's Mitsubishi Outlander without her consent before picking up his then-girlfriend Charlotte Mason and friends Luke Fergus and Leyton Kennedy. The 27-year-old then took the group on an "erratic" drive which saw him hit speeds of up to 105mph in terrible, wet conditions.
Despite his passengers pleading with him to slow down, Clapham-Richmond ignored them and instead claimed he was getting "traction". But Clapham-Richmond, who had no driving licence or insurance, ended up crashing the car into a central reservation barrier on the A19 at Sunderland[1]. Newcastle Crown Court[2] heard the horror-crash left his friends hospitalised with horrific injuries.
Charlotte Mason was left with bleeds on her brain, a liver laceration, and was in a coma for a week. She also suffered two strokes and has been left with long-lasting physical issues. Luke Fergus was left with a fracture of a vertebrae between his skull and spine, and Leyton Kennedy sustained a nasty leg break.
Both Luke and Leyton were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, the court heard. On Thursday, Clapham-Richmond, of Coach Road Estate, Washington[3], appeared at the court to be sentenced for three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of aggravated vehicle taking. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
Graham O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said Clapham-Richmond - who only had a provisional licence - stole his mother's Mitsubishi on July 22, 2023 from outside her home. When she realised her car was gone, she "suspected it was her son" but her calls and messages to him went unanswered. Mr O'Sullivan said: "Police attended his mother's home to inform her that her son and his girlfriend and others had been involved in a serious collision.
She went to the Royal Victoria Infirmary[4] that night where he said 'I'm sorry mum, I've stolen your car and crashed it'." The court was told that the defendant's passengers had been pleading with him to slow down during the journey. When Leyton Kennedy told him to "calm down" as he was driving "way too erratically", Clapham-Richmond replied, 'I'm getting traction'.
Clapham-Richmond, who was said to have been "weaving" around the road, then smashed into a central reservation barrier on the A19 at the junction of the A690 in Sunderland. Mr O'Sullivan said that following a police investigation, it was found he had hit speeds of up to 105mph around 10 seconds before the collision, but that the speed had reduced before impact. Before the crash, Clapham-Richmond's driving was described as "extremely concerning and idiotic" by Luke Fergus.
A witness who saw the crash said the weather conditions were very wet with a lot of spray on the roads at the time. In a victim statement, Charlotte Mason said she still battles with her mental health and that her life has been changed forever. She stated that metal frames were placed in her back and that she now suffers from permanent nerve damage.
Part of her skull was also removed to relieve pressure when in hospital. The court was told Clapham-Richmond had one previous conviction for affray, dating back to 2020. He was given a 12 month community order for that offence.
Laura Miller, defending, said Clapham-Richmond accepted being the driver and also sustained very serious injuries, including two broken legs. She said: "The decision to take his mum's car and drive the way he did will stay with him for the rest of his life. He is still walking with crutches and has had two surgeries."
The court heard that Clapham-Richmond has a child and is "very sorry" for causing the injuries. Ms Miller added that Clapham-Richmond has "immaturity in his decision making processes". Judge Stephen Earl will sentence Clapham-Richmond on Tuesday, February 25.
He will return to the court on that date.
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References
- ^ Sunderland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Newcastle Crown Court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Washington (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Royal Victoria Infirmary (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
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