Driver jailed over 90mph hit-and-run death

Reece Lawrence has been jailed for 10 years

A speeding driver who killed a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash has been jailed for 10 years.

Reece Lawrence, 29, was driving at nearly 90mph when he ran down mother-of-two Michaela Fowles in Middleton, Leeds, on 28 June.

In a statement read out in court, Ms Fowles' mother, June, said her family "will never be the same".

Lawrence, of Florence Terrace, Morley, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for 15 years.

Michaela Fowles was killed as she crossed Thorpe Lane in Middleton on 28 June

The court heard Lawrence had been driving at an estimated 88.8mph (143km/h) "plus or minus 10%" when he hit Ms Fowles in Thorpe Lane - a 30mph (48km/h) road.

One witness told police the car was being driven so fast Lawrence was "losing control of it" while another said the vehicle was "shaking and swerving" as it approached Ms Fowles.

Lawrence fled the scene of the crash before dumping the car, removing the number plates and going to a friend's house to change his clothes.

Det Sgt Steven Suggitt from West Yorkshire Police said Lawrence drove "at reckless speeds" and “was determined to cover his tracks in an attempt to evade justice".

The court heard was also on bail for allegedly driving while under the influence of cannabis at the time of the collision.

'Act of stupidity'

In her statement, Ms Fowles' mother said her daughter "lost her life through an act of stupidity" and had "left behind two beautiful children", aged 13 and 15.

"She will never see them grow to their full potential."

"She had died by the hands of one driver who should never have been on the road that night, like a car racer.

"Me and all her family will never be the same."

Lawrence, who also pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, had shown "genuine remorse", according to his solicitor Shufqat Khan.

Judge Tom Bayliss KC said: "I accept there's remorse, but it's unfortunate that it was after leaving a scene and leaving a woman fatally injured.

"Michaela Fowles had no chance. How could she have thought for one moment that anyone would be driving at nearly three times the speed limit on that road?"

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