Driver sentenced after mum and son killed in crash

Joshua HillImage source, Derbyshire Police
Image caption,

Joshua Hill hid at a number of properties in Sheffield for two days after the crash

  • Published

A man who killed a mother and son in a head-on car crash in Derbyshire, and then fled the scene, has been jailed.

Joshua Hill attempted to overtake a vehicle on the A632 Chesterfield Road at Span Carr, near Kelstedge, on 9 December 2023, but hit a car coming in the opposite direction.

Angela Boyack was killed instantly while Stephen Boyack, both from South Shields, died in hospital a short time later.

Hill, who admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving shortly before the trial started, was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Image source, Supplied
Image caption,

Hill and his passenger did nothing to help Stephen and Angela Boyack

Derby Crown Court heard Hill's BMW had been seen carrying out "aggressive" overtakes ahead of the crash, with one driver reporting Hill's passenger had rolled down the window, laughed and put his middle finger up as they sped past him.

Mrs Boyack's husband William and oldest son Alex were driving behind and witnessed the crash.

Mr Boyack said he went to help his wife but could see she was already dead.

Hill, 27, fled to Sheffield and hid at various properties in the city before being arrested on 11 December.

Ordering Hill to serve two-thirds of his 13-year sentence before being released on licence and banning him from driving for 10 years, Judge Jonathan Straw said Hill had been playing "automotive Russian roulette" in his overtaking manoeuvres.

In his statement, Mr Boyack said he has "nothing but disgust and contempt" for Hill, of Wheata Road in Sheffield, and his passenger who "stood there and did nothing" as total strangers helped his wife and youngest son.

He added: "I cannot even begin to comprehend what happened that day, I get unbearable pains in my chest when I think about it. Losing my wife and son has ruined my life in every sense."

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