Teen's last two words to family before being killed with friends in horror crash
The bereft parents of a teenage boy who died in a horror crash which killed three said their lives were filled with "deafening silence" in gutwrenching tributes as their killer driver was jailed.
"Loving" Louis Banks, 17, was killed alongside pals Aaron Bell and Tommy Shevels, both 18, when boy racer Joshua Chapman drove at horrifying speeds along a rural road in the Yorkshire Dales before burning a red light and crashing into a tree. Chapman, 20, sustained multiple injuries in the crash but was the only survivor, telling police he had no memory of what happened.
A court heard a horrified driver came across the wreckage on a road between Bedale and Masham, North Yorkshire, on the night of July 29, 2022, moments after being overtaken by Chapman at a set of red lights. Chapman had been driving the Alfa Romeo at frightening speeds, tailing the witness's car and beeping at him.
Chapman was jailed for nine years on Thursday after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. A judge at Teesside Crown Court also handed him a hefty 10-year driving ban.
But the victims' parents said no sentence would ever bring their boys back as they spoke of their lives being destroyed in an instant, thrust into a club "we never wanted to be in and now can never leave". Louis' parents heartbreakingly revealed their son's last two words to them before he left home and never returned.
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Aaron was a talented sportsman and rubgy player, his parents said"Louis never got embarrassed to show his feelings," his family said. "He never had the grunting teenager stage, there was always a ‘love ya’ at the end of the day and those where his last words to me, my birthday - day he was killed."
They added: "We miss the joy, the noise, the laughter that Louis brought to our lives, the silence now is deafening. Nothing I write can do my boy justice. Louis should still be here but he’s not. We will be forever proud and lucky to have had him in our lives for those 17 years. Our love for him will always remain."
"Talented sportsman" Aaron was described as "kind, caring and hardworking" who was "destined to succeed in whatever he wanted to do". His family said: "Grief is the price we are now paying for loving Aaron, and we loved him more than words can describe."
Louis Banks told his parents 'love ya' and never came homeTommy's parents paid tribute to their "friendliest, kindest, and most caring" son, saying "our biggest regret" was that they "weren’t there to stop Tommy, Louis and Aaron getting in Joshua Chapman’s car" on the night in question. "His reckless behaviour devastated the lives of three families that night.
“We are so proud of the young man Tommy was turning into and we are going to love and miss him forever." Chapman, from Bedale, was also told he would have to re-take an extended driving test.
Sergeant Ed Drake, of North Yorkshire Police ’s Major Collision Investigation Team, said: “This was an absolute tragic and completely avoidable loss of three young lives. Joshua Chapman is now facing the consequences of his dangerous driving, but no sentence can ever compensate for the loss of Louis, Aaron and Tommy, the lives they would have lived and the pain their grieving families are going through.
“This catastrophic collision must serve as a lesson to everyone, particular young drivers, of the importance of being in control of your vehicle at all times. Driving within in the law, within your own capabilities and according to the road conditions is paramount in keeping you, your passengers and other road users safe.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Louis, Aaron and Tommy. I would also like to acknowledge and thank them for their immense patience and understanding during what has been a lengthy and traumatic investigation.”
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