A driver struck and killed an aspiring doctor who was crossing the road in a tragic hit and run while speeding at 50mph over the limit in a pedestrian zone in Leeds.
Ashton Kitchen-White, 19, died at the scene after being mowed down by Regan Kemp, 26, who was driving a Ford Focus ST in Middleton, West Yorkshire on May 16 this year.
The teenager was described as a “beautiful soul” by his dad who said “a big part of me died with Ashton” and that his son was about to embark on a journey to study medicine at Leeds University, because of his desire to help people.
Regan Kemp was found guilty of causing Mr Kitchen-White’s death by dangerous driving yesterday following a trial at Leeds Crown Court and he was sentenced to 15 years and six months behind bars.
Experts calculated the Focus Kemp drove was travelling at 80mph on the 30mph stretch when it hit Mr Kitchen-White. The court heard he suffered catastrophic injuries and had “no chance” of surviving.
Detectives from West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team quickly established that the Ford Focus had travelled from Scotland to Leeds.
A video recorded on a mobile phone inside the car showed Kemp speeding up moments before the collision, with a passenger heard commenting “that’s crazy fast”.
CCTV then showed Kemp abandoning the car and running away, before getting into another car minutes later with his friends and driving back to Scotland.
Regan Kemp has been jailed
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WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE
He then made his way back down to his home in Lafrowda Close, Penzance, Cornwall and detectives carried out extensive enquiries at both ends of the country before Kemp then handed himself in.
He was arrested four days later on 20 May and brought back to Leeds for questioning.
Mr Kitchen-White’s family paid tribute to him in a series of emotional statements read out in court.
His dad, Andrew, said: “A big part of me died with Ashton. Ashton was a beautiful soul from the minute he was born. He was my first born and my first true love.
Kemp struck 19-year-old Ashton Kitchen-White
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WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE
“He was about to embark on a journey to study medicine at Leeds University, because all Ashton wanted to do was help people. He loved to travel and planned to see the world.
“Ashton’s siblings will never get over the trauma of losing their big brother. His two-year-old brother wakes up every day asking if he can see Ashton today. I’m literally living in a nightmare.”
His mother, Hayley, said: “I cannot describe the devastation at the loss of my sweet boy who never did anything wrong and had dreams of becoming a doctor.
“I think about him all day every day and at home I’m surrounded by his things which are now constant reminders that he will not come home to me again.
Footage was taken from inside the vehicle on the night of the fatal collision
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WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE
“I still say good morning and goodnight sweetheart when I walk past his bedroom as I have to believe he is still with me in some way.”
Kemp was also banned from driving for 17 years and two months.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Ashton’s death was needless and completely avoidable, and it has had a devastating impact on the many people who knew and loved him.
“Kemp’s reckless actions highlight the catastrophic consequences that can come from speeding, one of the ‘fatal five’ offences identified as the key causes of serious collisions. It is right that he will now spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.
“I hope this case serves as a reminder to all road users of the responsibility we take on when sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle. If you choose to ignore the rules of the road and behave selfishly and recklessly, your actions could result in the most serious of consequences – the loss of an innocent person’s life.”
