A night out turned into a life sentence for Colby Hammond after his drunk driving claimed the life of 18-year-old Ethan Entwistle. The devastating crash in Broadstairs has sparked a renewed call for stricter road safety measures and left an entire community reeling. How can we prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again?

The tragic consequences of reckless behavior on the roads were brought into stark focus as Colby Hammond, 20, received a seven-year prison sentence following a fatal drunk-driving incident that claimed the life of his friend, 18-year-old Ethan Entwistle. The incident, which unfolded on the streets of Broadstairs, Kent, underscores the devastating impact of impaired driving and the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.

On the evening of October 1, 2023, after a celebratory “school reunion” night out, Hammond, significantly over the legal alcohol limit, got behind the wheel of his Seat Ibiza. Disregarding safety, he sped at an alarming 75mph in a 30mph zone on Dumpton Park Drive. Prior to the fatal impact, Hammond’s intoxicated state also led him to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, highlighting a severe lapse in judgment and responsibility.

During the sentencing, Judge Simon James condemned Hammond’s actions, emphasizing his criminally reckless speed and “abject failure to have regard to the safety of others.” The court heard that Hammond’s decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol was a deliberate one, a habit the judge noted he seemingly possessed, leading directly to the preventable death of a young life.

Despite the profound tragedy, Hammond and Entwistle were near strangers, having only met the day before through mutual friends Benjamin Brazil and Mason Anderson. After the initial gathering, the group chose to continue their night at another location, despite Hammond’s earlier promise to abstain from drinking while driving, a pledge he ultimately failed to keep.

The journey back to Broadstairs became a terrifying ordeal for the surviving passengers. Brazil and Anderson, both intoxicated, recounted fragmented memories, though Anderson vividly recalled his desperate pleas to “Slow down, we’re going to crash” which were tragically ignored. He described the terrifying moment he braced for impact, closing his eyes as the inevitable collision unfolded before him.

The court was informed that the relatively short two-and-a-half-mile drive from Ramsgate to Broadstairs, which should have taken less than ten minutes at a legal speed, ended in catastrophe. Hammond’s vehicle slammed into a tree trunk at speeds between 61 and 63mph, causing catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment. The roof was crushed, compressing the front passenger seat to half its size, leaving no chance of survival for Ethan Entwistle, who suffered “massive blunt-force injuries.”

Benjamin Brazil, who had introduced his best friend Ethan to the group, desperately attempted to save him in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Overwhelmed by survivor’s guilt, Brazil confessed to the court, “I consider myself extremely lucky but it doesn’t take away my guilt that I survived and Ethan did not,” a sentiment echoed by many grappling with such a profound loss.

In the wake of her son’s heartbreaking death, Ethan’s mother, Ms. Entwistle, has launched a passionate campaign for the introduction of graduated driving licenses. These proposed licenses would restrict young drivers from transporting peer-aged passengers for six months post-test and prohibit driving between midnight and 6 am, times statistically prone to fatal accidents. Despite a petition garnering over 100,000 signatures, the government has, to date, not committed to implementing these reforms, citing a focus on their existing Road Safety Strategy.

DC Lee Berridge, who led the investigation, underscored the profound tragedy of the case. “The message is clear, never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking alcohol and if you are a passenger, don’t be afraid to refuse a lift,” he stated, highlighting the preventable nature of this fatal crash and the enduring grief left in its wake. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of responsible choices on our roads to prevent future heartache.