Speeding driver jailed for hit-and-run death in Newcastle
He'll spend over seven years in prison.
Last updated 12th Oct 2024
A speeding driver has been jailed after admitting causing the death of a teenager in a hit-and-run incident in Newcastle.
Shortly after 4pm on Sunday, October 15, last year, police received a report of a collision on West Denton Way, in West Denton.
A grey BMW car had collided with a bus stop, at which a number of people were stood.
Emergency services attended the scene and despite the efforts of paramedics, 19-year-old Joe Scott – of Blakelaw in Newcastle – who had sustained fatal injuries was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.
Joe’s family continue to be supported by specially-trained Family Liaison Officers.
Two women who were also stood at the bus stop and were injured in the collision were taken to hospital.
One of the women sustained serious injuries while the other sustained non-serious injuries. Both were later discharged from hospital.
Steven Wallace, 22, who was identified at the driver of the BMW, was charged with death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road accident, driving while above the legal limit for drugs and driving with no insurance.
The investigation found that Wallace was five times the drug-drive limit at the time the vehicle struck the bus stop and also that at the time of the collision, the BMW was travelling at no less than 49mph. The legal limit for the road is 30mph.
Wallace, of Lonnen Avenue, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to all of the offences against him in a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court in July, after which he was remanded in custody.
A judge has sentenced him to seven years and eight months in prison.
Following the hearing, Sergeant Craig Bartle, of Northumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said:
“First and foremost, we would like to pay tribute to Joe’s family and loved ones.
“The last year has understandably been incredibly difficult for them and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”
Sgt Bartle added:
“Steven Wallace’s actions on October 15, 2023, were utterly deplorable. He was driving the vehicle in a hugely reckless manner when he lost control and it ploughed into the bus stop at which Joe and the other people injured were stood at.
“Not only that, Wallace then fled the scene instead of raising the alarm as he should have done.
“Thankfully, our diligent officers worked quickly to identify that he was the driver and get him arrested, charged and before court.
“He now has time behind bars to reflect on his actions, which have devastated several lives.
“I sincerely hope this sad and harrowing case sends a reminder to all motorists and road users across the North East and beyond. Our roads are not race tracks and the law is not optional – speed limits are ultimately there to save lives.”