Drug driver who killed Huddersfield student in hit-and-run jailed

Oliver Pryde was walking along a road in the Kirkburton area when he was hit by Adam Smith, before he drove off

Oliver Pryde and Adam Smith
Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 24th Apr 2024

A drug driver who hit and killed a student in Huddersfield, flinging him into the path of oncoming traffic, before driving off, has been jailed.

Oliver Pryde, 18 and from Cumbria, was walking down Penistone Road in the Kirkburton area when he was hit by Adam Smith, 33, who was twice over the legal drug limit.

Smith, who had no licence and was uninsured then drove off from the scene of the collision, leaving the student behind.

He was arrested a short time later and charged with causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs, causing death whilst unlicensed and uninsured.

Smith, who is from Huddersfield, denied the offences, but was found guilty following a six day trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Oliver's mum Stacey said: "Oliver wanted to become a maths teacher at his old secondary school.

"His words were that he wanted to teach others and inspire the next generation just like his teachers had inspired him.

“Since his death, his school have put in place an award in Oliver’s name, The Oliver Pryde award for mathematics – it’s a way that he can continue to inspire the next generation.

“No justice will ever be served in my eyes. I am left with a lifetime without Oliver and I’m left trying to rebuild the family that this person broke.”

Smith has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and has been disqualified from driving for nine.

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