Liverpool speeding driver jailed over fatal city centre crash

Connor Mears fled the scene following the crash in Liverpool city centre

A drug-driver who killed a pedestrian while speeding in a city centre has been jailed.

Connor Mears, 28, lost control of his Audi while driving on the Strand in Liverpool, crashing into the back of a taxi at 13:00 BST on 7 October.

Merseyside Police said the impact pushed the taxi on to the footpath, hitting a man who was on a bench.

Mears, of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of a crash and driving while unfit through drugs.

'Unimaginable harm'

The force said a roads policing patrol had attempted to stop and speak to Mears, who was travelling at excessive speed, prior to the crash.

The 44-year-old pedestrian was taken to hospital in a critical condition and he died 11 days later.

The crash happened on the Strand in Liverpool

Det Sgt Kurt Timpson, lead investigating officer, said: "The speed and manner of driving by Mears was grossly excessive and inappropriate and has been found in open court to be dangerous.

"His driving was prolonged and he had driven from Southport to Liverpool in a time which showed his speed was vastly in excess of the speed limit."

He added: "Excess speed and driving whilst impaired through drink and drugs devastates lives and causes unimaginable harm to people who become involved in road crashes.

"Not one of us would want to be involved in such incidents and we must change driving behaviour to reduce that harm."

Mears was also disqualified from driving for 16 years and will have to take an extended driving test.

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