Teenager killed jogger, 63, in ‘horrific’ hit and run after losing control of stolen Audi
Lewis Wright, 17, collided with David Francis and then crashed into a house in Merseyside.
A teenager who killed a 63-year-old man in a hit-and-run incident after stealing an Audi has been jailed for four years.
Lewis Wright, 17, collided with David Francis and then crashed into the garden of a house in Morgan Mews, Netherton, Merseyside, on the evening of 13 April, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
The Audi S8 was stolen in a burglary in the early hours of that day in the Harrison Drive area of Rainford.
Keen runner Francis, from Litherland, was pronounced dead at the scene.
On 21 April, detectives arrested and charged Wright, of Netherton, with death by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured, and aggravated taking of a motor vehicle without consent.
He had handed himself in following an appeal by police.
At an earlier court hearing, Wright pleaded guilty to the charge of death by dangerous driving.
On Friday at Liverpool Crown Court, he was sentenced to four years in prison and reporting restrictions were lifted for him to be publicly named.
Speaking about the verdict, Detective Inspector Jay Halpin said: “This was truly a horrific incident in which an innocent member of the public was tragically killed by a stolen car, which shocked the community.
“The victim, David, was very well-known in the area and would regularly be seen doing what he loved which was running and he was affectionately known as the ‘Litherland Running Man’.
“Nobody can begin to understand the impact and the circumstances of David’s sudden death has had on his family and friends, but I hope that this conviction will give them a sense of justice.
“Also I hope that Wright reflects his time in prison of the fatal consequences and distress he has caused to David’s family.”
