Young Harborough driver full of remorse after crash killed his childhood friend

A teenage Market Harborough driver’s childhood friend was killed after he lost control on a bend, a court heard.

Driver Archie Williamson, 18, collided with another car in the head-on crash in Langton Road, Foxton, killing his good friend Ryan Tealby, 17.

Another friend was seriously injured in the two-vehicle crash last November.

Back seat passenger Ryan, also from Market Harborough, died at the scene as medics battled to save him after suffering critical abdominal injuries.

And another friend who was travelling with them in the Volkswagen Polo sustained a fractured pelvis, Leicester magistrates’ court heard.

Williamson, of Station Road, Great Bowden, had passed his driving test just three months earlier.

The college student has been overwhelmed by grief and guilt since the tragic accident, JPs were told.

Williamson admitted a single charge of causing Ryan's death by careless driving.

The teenager’s loved ones were in court alongside Ryan’s family, who they have known for many years, to see him sentenced.

Contrite Williamson was banned from driving for 12 months.

The remorseful teenager was also fined £230 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Sukhdev Bisla, prosecuting, said the crash happened on the evening of Tuesday November 19.

He told the court that Williamson “failed to negotiate a bend” on Langton Road, Foxton.

Mr Bisla said there was no suggestion that he was exceeding the 60mph speed limit at any time.

Williamson hit the kerb and careered out of control, smashing into an oncoming Toyota Avensis.

Tragically Ryan, a former Welland Park Academy student, died straight away while both Williamson and the Avensis driver escaped serious injury.

Paul Tubb, defending, said Williamson was one “of the most remorseful defendants” he had dealt with in the last 20 years.

"Whatever punishment the court gives will be nothing compared to the guilt Mr Williamson feels for what happened that day and will do for the rest of his life,” said Mr Tubb.

“The families have known each other for 30 years and Mr Williamson has known Ryan since he was at least 10.

"He had only had his licence for about three months when the collision occurred.”

He said the catastrophic collision bore all the “hallmarks of an inexperienced driver who had a momentary lapse in concentration”.

“His car was fitted with a black box.

“The speed limit on this road is 60 mph and his speed never got above 48mph," insisted Mr Tubb.

Magistrate Samantha Price-Jones told Williamson that it was a “tragic accident”.

"We have looked at all the circumstances surrounding what happened on that day.

“We do know this area and are very aware of this road and how challenging this bend can be,” she said.

“As a bench we would like to extend our condolences to the family of the victim.

"It has obviously been a very difficult time for everyone.”

An online fundraising effort to support Ryan’s grief-stricken family has raised £5,322.