A young driver has been sentenced to a 10-year jail term following a fatal head-on collision caused by his reckless speeding. Kiran Hanson, described as driving irresponsibly and aggressively by the prosecution, lost control of his vehicle resulting in the death of Benn Johnson, 22, and severe injuries to his younger brother Finn, including a fractured spine.
Finn, who was a passenger in the car, recounted pleading with Hanson to slow down before the tragic crash with a Range Rover on June 10, 2024. Additionally, Hanson was banned from driving for 18 years as part of his sentence.
The devastated mother of the victim, Kathleen, expressed the profound grief caused by Hanson’s actions, stating that one of her sons had been lost due to his recklessness. She emphasized the ongoing pain and void left by the loss of her son.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Hanson, now 21, had consumed alcohol and cannabis before the accident. Witnesses testified to his reckless driving behavior, with Finn Johnson describing Hanson’s disregard for safety and his refusal to heed warnings to slow down.
The collision occurred when Hanson attempted to overtake a vehicle at high speed, ultimately leading to the fatal crash. Despite sustaining injuries himself, Hanson declined to provide a blood sample for analysis following the incident.
Hanson pleaded guilty to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The presiding judge, Shaun Smith KC, condemned Hanson’s actions, highlighting the grave consequences of his reckless driving behavior.
In a statement read on Finn’s behalf, the impact of witnessing his brother’s death was described as a result of someone else’s actions. The family of the deceased expressed their anguish and emphasized that the tragedy was not an accident but a deliberate choice made by Hanson.
Hanson’s defense lawyer acknowledged the severity of the situation, expressing his client’s remorse and acceptance of responsibility for the trauma he caused. Hanson’s actions were deemed as something he would carry with him for the rest of his life.