A night out meant for celebration turned into a horrifying tragedy in Broadstairs. One devastating choice, a fatal crash, and a life cut short. The court has now delivered its verdict, but the ripple effects continue. What truly drives someone to make such a reckless decision?

A tragic culmination of reckless choices unfolded in Broadstairs, leading to a devastating road incident where an 18-year-old lost his life, and a 20-year-old now faces a substantial prison sentence. This heart-wrenching case highlights the dire consequences of Drunk Driving and irresponsible behavior behind the wheel, casting a somber shadow over a community grappling with profound loss and the pursuit of justice.

The fateful night of October 1, 2023, saw Colby Hammond, then 20, driving his Seat Ibiza with three friends after a “school reunion” celebration. Despite being significantly over the legal drink-drive limit, Hammond accelerated his vehicle to a shocking 75mph in a 30mph residential zone, moments before his vehicle collided head-on with a tree on Dumpton Park Drive. This Fatal Car Crash claimed the life of passenger Ethan Entwistle, just two days before his 19th birthday, marking a profound Broadstairs Tragedy.

Testimony revealed a disturbing pattern of Reckless Driving by Hammond even before the crash. He had reportedly driven the wrong way down a one-way street, ignoring pleas from his passengers to slow down. One passenger later informed police that drinking and driving was not an unusual occurrence for Hammond, describing it as a “pretty normal thing,” painting a grim picture of habitual disregard for Road Safety UK standards.

During proceedings at Canterbury Crown Court, the severity of Hammond’s actions was underscored. The judge condemned his “irresponsibility, criminally reckless speed, abject failure to have regard to the safety of others, and his deliberate decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol.” This detailed account emerged as part of the Court Sentencing that ultimately led to Hammond’s seven-year jail sentence, a legal consequence for his devastating actions.

The surviving passengers, Mr. Brazil and Mr. Anderson, recalled the terror of the final moments. Both admitted they were too intoxicated to fully remember the journey, but Mr. Anderson distinctly remembered shouting, “Slow down, we’re going to crash,” a desperate warning that went unheeded. He described the harrowing experience of bracing for impact, highlighting the sheer panic and helplessness felt in the vehicle.

The collision with the tree trunk, at an estimated 61-63mph, caused catastrophic damage to the passenger side of the vehicle, compressing the front passenger seat to half its original size. Mr. Brazil, who had invited his best friend Ethan on the night out, was seated behind him and desperately tried to save his life. Paramedics, despite battling for over an hour, tragically pronounced Ethan Entwistle dead at 4:30 am.

Ethan’s mother, Ms. Entwistle, delivered a poignant statement, expressing her son’s selfless nature and her own unending grief. She revealed her inability to sleep on Saturday nights since the incident, fearing similar tragedies. In the wake of her profound loss, she has courageously launched a campaign advocating for graduated driving licenses, aiming to prevent other young people from enduring the same fate and advocating for enhanced Road Safety UK measures.

Investigating officer DC Lee Berridge of Kent Police reiterated the tragic nature of the case, emphasizing that the collision was a direct result of the driver’s irresponsible consumption of alcohol and blatant disregard for passenger safety. He stressed that Colby Hammond’s decision to drink and drive had “devastating consequences,” leading to a life lost and profound grief for loved ones.