A young man without any driving experience fatally struck and killed a 17-year-old boy in a hit-and-run incident. The teenager, identified as Harley Hough, has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years of detention in a youth offenders’ facility for causing the death of Alex Woodward. The tragic event occurred as Woodward was crossing the street with two friends on their way to a local store.
Hough, who admitted to never having taken a driving lesson, was driving a BMW at a speed of 58mph when he illegally overtook another vehicle on Dawlish Drive in Bentilee on the evening of October 17. The collision resulted in Woodward being thrown 47 meters from the impact point, causing fatal injuries that led to his death at the Royal Stoke University Hospital the following day. Hough fled the scene and later set fire to the BMW at Park Hall Country Park before surrendering to authorities two days after the incident.
During his police interrogation, Hough claimed he was not driving recklessly and shifted blame to the victim, stating that Woodward had taken a risky chance to cross the road ahead of him. However, he expressed regret and a desire to apologize to the victim’s family and friends. Hough, a resident of Longton, admitted guilt to charges including causing death by dangerous driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without a proper license, and driving without insurance.
In court, Hough’s lawyer, Steve Hennessy, highlighted that the young offender had no prior criminal record and was remorseful for his actions. Judge Graeme Smith sentenced Hough to six-and-a-half years of detention in a youth facility, imposed an eight-year driving ban, and required him to pass an extended driving test before regaining his license.