Speeding driver killed boy, 13, while he was out buying sweets

A speeding driver who killed a 13-year-old boy shortly after the teenager had bought sweets from a petrol station has been jailed.

Harry Kinney-Ryan was crossing the road when a Vauxhall Astra, driven by Craig Griffiths, 36, hit him in December 2022.

He’d been buying sweets from a petrol station in Liverpool just before the collision and members of the public gave him first aid before he was rushed to hospital.

Tragically, he died two days later from his injuries, Merseyside Police said.

Griffiths had been driving between 53mph and 58mph before the collision on the East Lancs Road in Croxteth. The maximum speed limit is 40mph.

Griffiths, who remained at the scene, pleaded guilty causing death by careless driving.

He was jailed for 12 months on Friday and banned from driving for 12 months at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Andy Roper said after sentencing: ‘This is an extremely sad case in which the driving decisions made by Griffiths that day have led to devastating consequences.

‘Not just for Harry’s family and friends, but indeed for his own. I would like to praise the actions of members of the public who stopped to help, administer first aid and provide care which enabled Harry to survive in hospital for a further two days.

‘This provided his loved ones with the ability to spend some precious final moments with him.

‘I hope that the detail of this case sends out a strong message to all motorists… As driver’s we are all accountable for the decisions we make on the road and that they can have life shattering consequences.

‘Excess speed devastates lives to those involved in road crashes. No one wants to be involved in such incidents and we must change driving behaviour to reduce this.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.