It’s reported, a dangerous driver who fled the scene of a serious collision in Sheerness and tried to change his appearance to escape justice has been jailed for nearly four years.
Luke Wells, 31, was seen driving a red Vauxhall Astra erratically and at high speed along Queenborough Road on the evening of Saturday 20 July 2024. At 7.41pm, his vehicle collided with a grey Peugeot that was turning right at a junction.
Emergency services, including officers, paramedics, and the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, attended the scene. All four occupants of the Peugeot were injured, with the front-seat passenger sustaining serious, life-threatening injuries including multiple fractures. The driver and another passenger also suffered fractures.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing Wells flee on foot towards Queenborough, abandoning his sandals in a nearby driveway. Following swift enquiries, police located Wells at his home in Minster, at 9pm that same evening. Upon his arrest, Wells denied being involved, claiming he had sold the car days prior and had been out on his bicycle.
However, officers discovered evidence that Wells had attempted to alter his appearance to avoid detection. A freshly used towel and hair shavings were found in his bath, indicating he had shaved off parts of his hair and beard. Police were able to confirm the alteration by comparing photos taken by witnesses at the crash scene with Wells’ appearance just two hours later. Forensic DNA evidence recovered from inside the Vauxhall Astra further proved he was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Wells subsequently pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice. At Maidstone Crown Court, he was sentenced to three years and ten months in prison, alongside a four-year driving disqualification.
Investigating officer Police Constable Sean Browne condemned the driver’s actions, stating that Wells showed a total disregard for both the law and the welfare of others by fleeing the scene. He added that Wells knew exactly what he had done and thanked the witnesses whose assistance ensured the motorist was brought to justice.