Man jailed for more than six years following fatal collision in Southampton
The car was filmed at almost 90mph on a residential road
A dangerous driver who was filmed speeding at nearly 90mph in a residential road just seconds before a fatal crash has been jailed.
Finley Lintott-Warrillow had two friends in his car when he lost control due to his excessive speeding.
While he and one other passenger survived the catastrophic collision with serious injuries, 18-year-old Brandon Cousens was sadly pronounced dead by emergency services at the scene.
Today, Lintott-Warrillow was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court.
The 21-year-old from North East Road, Southampton, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard he had been driving his friends home in a black Vauxhall Corsa after going out for food together in Portswood in the early hours of Sunday 5 March 2023.
Police were then called at 12.48am to a report of a collision on Middle Road, Southampton.
Shocking CCTV footage from the junction of Middle Road and South East Road, just moments before the collision, showed the Corsa being driven at approximately 86.95mph.
The road has a 30mph limit and had cars parked on both sides of the road.
Police investigators found that Lintott-Warrillow lost control of his car, crashed into a wall and the speed of his driving was so extreme that the car was launched at least 15 metres through the air after the initial impact.
Lintott-Warrillow was today handed a sentence of six years and eight months imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving.
Chief Inspector Emma Hart, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "By driving at such excessive speeds in a quiet residential road, with cars parked on both side, the driver put his own life and the lives of his friends who were passengers at risk.
"Brandon had his whole life ahead of him and his family has now been torn apart by the devastating consequences of that speeding. Our thoughts are with them today.
"National research has found that young male car drivers aged 17 to 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over.
"The combination of overconfidence and inexperience that both come with youth can be a dangerous mixture which far too often leads to serious injuries and deaths on our roads.
"I hope this sends a message to all young drivers out there to not take unnecessary risks that could see themselves or their friends killed."
Brandon's family have also made the following tribute to him:
"Brandon was a kind, caring and loving child who was always laughing and smiling, living his life how he wanted to right up to the moment he took his last breath.
"Brandon’s passing has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. He is a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend and he will always be a huge part of so many people’s lives.
"We have to continue living and adapting to a new normal without him, knowing that due to a reckless decision that night Brandon was killed.
"It is so heart-breaking as a family knowing that we will never get the chance to see him grow into a man, celebrate his 21st birthday, future birthdays, get married, have children and watch him live out all the dreams and life experiences he wanted in life.
"We love and miss you always."
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