A man caused a horror smash after leading police on a high-speed chase then fled - leaving his 17-year-old passenger with fatal injuries. Elliot Martin, 21, led cops on a pursuit while driving a Ford Focus in the early hours of March 31 last year.
Two passengers - including Ronaldo Johnson, 17 - were with Martin. Officers in a marked police car saw him skip a red light.
They followed Martin along Wilmslow Road in Withington, south Manchester, onto Copson Street after he took a sharp left. The Focus was driven the wrong way around a roundabout onto Yew Tree Road, where the chase began.
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Martin reached speeds of over 65mph in 30mph zones, Manchester Crown Court heard. Prosecuting, Chloe Fordham said Martin didn't slow down, speeding through a red before smashing into a taxi.
The court was shown police dashcam footage of the chase, which lasted 40 seconds until the crash. Martin 'panicked' and ran away, leaving his two passengers unconscious in the car.
Both suffered serious brain injuries and fractures and were rushed to Salford Royal Hospital. Tragically, on April 6, Ronaldo died of his injuries. The other passenger, a young man, was left with life-changing injuries.
Less than 24 hours on from the crash, Martin handed himself in at Longsight police station and admitted what he had done.
Ms Fordham told the court: " After the crash, he said he just got out and started running out of sheer panic. He said that he had no idea at the time how serious the injuries were to the others in the car.
"He said that he went home and got changed and that later in the day his friend called round to tell him about the crash and the serious injury which had been caused to his friends. As a result of this, the defendant told his mother what had happened and asked her to take him to the police station to hand himself in."
Martin, of Calderdale Avenue, Chorlton, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving; driving without a licence or insurance; and causing serious injury by dangerous driving,
On Thursday (October 13) he was jailed for six years.
The court heard a woman on her way home from a night out in the taxi was also badly hurt. She suffered a fractured ankle and sternum. She continues to suffer from pain from the injuries and will have to wait over a year to find out if she has arthritis as a result, the court was told.
A victim impact statement read on her behalf to the court said: "I felt I was going to pass away as I was having serious pains in my chest. I wanted to get my phone to ring loved one as I didn't think I would see them again."
The woman told Martin: "You have ruined not just my life, but other people's lives. I hope you take time to think about your actions." She added she has suffered with severe anxiety and depression since the crash.
The driver of the taxi was left feeling pain from the crash for weeks after the incident. Ms Fordham said of Martin's other passenger: "S ince the crash he does not really chat to many people and finds it a lot of effort to go out as it is tiring to use the crutch. He says that he cannot any longer take his dog on long walks or let her off the lead."
Ronaldo, who was studying at Openshaw college and was a talented athlete, left behind his parents and five siblings. Sister Keesha read a victim impact statement on behalf of the family. "When the police knocked on our door stress entered our lives," she said, adding that their mother 'broke down' when she saw Ronaldo in hospital.
"We still can't really come to terms with this, he can never be replaced. We have a Ronaldo-sized hole that nothing will ever fill.
"We have been robbed of watching him grow up, we'll never see him start his first job which he really wanted to do to become a man, to provide for his family and himself and to go on his first holiday at 18. We'll never see him get married and have children.
"Part of us died when we saw him take his last breath. You should never have to bury your child. The pain prevents his parents from sleeping, it keeps them awake at night."
A statement from Ronaldo's mum Loraine added: "We feel guilty for being alive. We have been robbed of watching him grow up." His father Clinton said: "He was taken away far too soon before his prime by a coward who ran away. He had everything to live for and for his loving family. It's a waste of a beautiful life who I was very proud of."
Defending Martin, Simon Gurney said: "There's nothing I can say to express the guilt he feels at his decision that night and the devastating consequences for him. He caused the death of a friend and life-changing injuries to another friend.
"He accepts there will be a lengthy sentence and it is just." Mr Gurney added that Martin had a very difficult upbringing and letters had been sent from his mother and a local church leader about his good character. "No sentence can ever make right what he's done," he concluded.
Sentencing Martin, Judge Patrick Field KC, said: "I'm aware of the enormous loss suffered by Ronaldo's family. What you did inflicted tragedy upon them. That happy family full of hope and expectations for the future.
"I recognise there is no sentiments that I can pass that can undo the harm that you have done."
Judge Field added he acted 'irresponsibly', putting himself and others at risk. "The force of the collision was great demonstrated by the aftermath and the consequences of the collision were tragic and passengers in both vehicles suffered awful injuries," he added.
"It was shameful to abandon your friends and other injured in the collision...that it took place at all is unacceptable and inexplicable."
After the sentencing, Ronaldo's family said: "The day we lost Ron, our lives were paused, and the void that Ron leaves will never be replaced. Elliot still has a life that he can live. Ron will be sadly missed by us all and no sentence will ever be enough."
Police Constable Oliver Batty, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said after the sentencing: "Martin’s driving fell far below what would be expected of any careful, competent, and law-abiding driver. Ultimately, his actions led to the death of Ronaldo and serious injuries to two other people.
"Our thoughts remain with the family of Ronaldo as they come to terms with this loss. I hope this sentencing today will deter other motorists from risking other’s safety whilst driving, as every decision on the road has the potential to result in catastrophic consequences."
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