Leicestershire driver jailed for a crash that killed his friend
23-year-old Luke Sullivan had cocaine in his system and was speeding
Last updated 29th May 2024
Today (Wednesday), Luke Sullivan has been jailed for six years and eight months for causing the death of Kieran Andrews by dangerous driving. The 23-year-old who was found to have cocaine in his system, was also seen running away from the scene of the fatal collision in Leicester Road in Anstey on the morning of Saturday 18 March 2023.
Leicestershire Police have released the footage to highlight the serious impact dangerous driving can have on lives.
The vehicle had left the Station Road area of Glenfield at around 10.17am with CCTV and dashcam footage gathered by police showing the car being driven erratically and dangerously overtaking other vehicles.
The collision happened at about 10.30am in Leicester Road, Anstey, when the car appeared to lose control before mounting a grass verge and colliding with wooden fencing and a lamppost.
CCTV showed Sullivan running from the collision. Members of public at the scene tried to help Kieran Andrews along with paramedics but sadly he was pronounced deceased at the scene. A post mortem examination found Mr Andrews had sustained a fatal chest injury. The passenger in the rear of the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
Officers launched an investigation and worked to locate Sullivan throughout the day before being contacted by a family member of the defendant’s during the evening after he had returned home. This led to Sullivan’s arrest that evening.
Sullivan was taken to hospital to be checked on after suffering minor injuries in the collision. A preliminary drug test carried out at the hospital showed positive for cocaine.
Following a full police investigation, Sullivan was charged in December 2023. At Leicester Crown Court in February this year, he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Following today’s sentence, the family of Kieran Andrews have released the following statement:
“We will never forget the morning of Saturday 18th March 2023 when two police officers told us that our beloved son, Kieran, had been killed in a road traffic collision. This is news that no parent should have to receive.
“The suffering within our family is still raw. Kieran was 26 years old and was getting his life together, undergoing the necessary qualifications to allow him to start a career in construction. We were told how well Kieran was getting on, and as a family, we have no doubt that Kieran would have succeeded in everything that he put his mind to and had a successful future.
“The only comfort we can take from everything is realising just how loved and popular Kieran was. More than 300 people attended Kieran’s funeral. A huge void has been left in many people’s lives which will never be replaced.
“We cannot express in words the pain which has been caused to us. Our family has been torn apart and there is no sentence which will ever bring back our son.”