DRIVER JAILED FOR FIVE YEARS AFTER 113MPH CRASH KILLS TEENAGER

Leon Callaghan, 19, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison this week after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. Callaghan lost control of a Seat Ibiza on the M65 motorway near Burnley, Lancashire, in the early hours of 2 October 2024, and the vehicle collided with the central reservation. Demi-Leigh Davies, 17, who was a passenger in the car, suffered catastrophic crush injuries and died in hospital. Two other young women, aged 17 and 19, were also in the vehicle and sustained serious injuries, though they have since recovered.

Judge Robert Altham described Callaghan's actions as a "grossly dangerous manoeuvre", stating that the driver had reached speeds of 113mph on the motorway. The judge said Callaghan had chosen to undertake the dangerous driving rather than face the inconvenience of rerouting. Callaghan was 17 years old at the time of the crash and is from Darwen, Lancashire. The judge noted that Callaghan demonstrated limited remorse, instead blaming external factors for the incident. Callaghan told police that his foot had become stuck between the pedals, which he claimed caused the excessive speed.

Judge Altham described Demi-Leigh as a "funny, lively young woman" during sentencing at Preston Crown Court. Demi-Leigh's mother said after her daughter's death that she had lost her "world". The sentencing concluded this week following Callaghan's guilty plea to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.