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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tom Seaward & Matthew Dresch

Van driver kills pensioner while 'showing off' in dashcam video of deadly overtaking

This is the shocking moment a pensioner was killed in a head on collision with a van driver who was overtaking and 'showing off'.

Aron Hicks, 28, was overtaking 'for no reason' when he smashed into Brian Hunt, 78, who died shortly afterwards.

Shocking dashcam footage captured the moment he ploughed head-on into Brian on the A417.

Prosecutor Andrew Jordan told Oxford Crown Court that Hicks was behind the wheel of his white van on the way to work.

At around 8am on May 4 last year, he overtook one car on the A417 near Cholsey before trying to overtake a second.

Hicks, who may have been over the 50mph speed limit, pulled onto the opposite side of the road as he approached the crest of a hill.

He was unable to see Mr Hunt’s Honda Civic until too late, hitting it head-on.

Aron Hicks drove his van into Brian Hunt's car while 'showing off' (Oxford Mail/ SWNS)

Hicks suggested to the probation officer who wrote a pre-sentence report that he was ‘showing off’, although as he was alone in his van it was unclear to whom he was doing so, the court heard.

Brian's widow Susan Hunt, who had been married to victim Brian for 54 years, said in a victim statement: “Words cannot express the pain and anguish that family, our friends and I have endured since the death of my husband Brian.

“He did not deserve to die in this way. Aron Hicks took my husband’s life.

''He will never understand the effect he’s had on our family. It is unimaginable and unpardonable.”

Hicks has been jailed for three years and four months (SWNS)

Brian's son Stuart said in his statement that it felt as if the ‘heart of the family has been literally ripped out’.

His brother, Stephen, said directly to his father’s killer: “You took my dad away from not just me that day, but my whole family and our friends far too early. He had a life to live.”

In his own letter to his victim’s family, Hicks said: “I know that no amount of apologies or condolences can make this situation any better for you all.

"I can only begin to imagine the depth of your shock and grief.

Brian's son Stuart said the ‘heart of the family has been literally ripped out’ (Oxford Mail/ SWNS)

"Knowing that my actions have caused this pain will be my life’s biggest regret.”

The court heard that there was no reason for Hicks to have made the dangerous manoeuvre.

The painter and decorator was on his way to work but was in no rush.

Hicks pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Hicks pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving (Oxford Mail/ SWNS)

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He was banned from the roads for three years and eight months and must pass an extended retest.

Jailing him for three years and four months, Judge Ian Pringle QC told the driver: “Mr Hunt received devastating injuries which despite the efforts of the hospital he could not be saved and he died shortly afterwards.

''His death is your responsibility.”

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