Second man jailed over Bournemouth Spur Road fatal crash

31 year old George Greaves from Portsmouth died in the collision

Dannie O'Leary, 30, has been handed a 14 year and 4 month jail sentence
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 13th Jun 2024

A second man has been jailed for killing a Portsmouth musician in a crash on the Bournemouth Spur Road.

George Greaves, who was 31 and from Portsmouth, died at the scene near the Ashley Heath roundabout on the A338 almost a year ago, on 15th June 2023.

A Nissan Micra and a Lexus GS300 were involved - George a front seat passenger in the Nissan, with two other people suffering serious injuries.

The Lexus had been seen 'racing' two other cars at speeds of over 80 mph in the moments before the crash.

The driver of the Lexus - 23 year old Yusuf Muzil from Cricklewood in London – was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The investigation was able to identify the driver of a Mercedes involved in the excessive speeds beforehand as 30-year-old Dannie Thomas O’Leary, from London.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and entered guilty pleas during a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 12th June).

He's been sentenced to 14 years and four months in prison.

He was also banned from driving for 12 years and two months, with the ban due to commence when he is released from prison.

The driver of a third vehicle seen driving at excessive speeds in the moments leading up to the collision, a 29-year-old man from Solihull in the West Midlands, has admitted a charge of dangerous driving and is due to be sentenced at the same court on a date to be fixed.

Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the Roads Policing Team, said:

“Our thoughts remain very much with the family of George Greaves and those who were seriously injured as a result of this collision.

“We have been determined to identify all of those involved in this shocking incident and through our extensive enquiries we have been able to track down the motorists involved and hold them to account.

“Dannie O’Leary’s reckless and inconsiderate driving undoubtedly was a significant factor in causing this collision, which has had truly devastating consequences for the family and loved ones of Mr Greaves.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to identify those who commit offences on our road network and ensure the families of those affected see them face justice for their actions.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the family of Mr Greaves, as well as the other victims in this case, for the way they have supported this investigation and the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout the court process.

“I also want to thank the Metropolitan Police for its assistance in locating O’Leary, so he could be apprehended and brought before the court.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.