A teenager who caused the death of his 14-year-old friend in an e-scooter crash has been given an 18-month rehabilitation order, avoiding jail time. The passenger, Jacob Calland, sustained fatal injuries when the e-scooter he was riding, driven by a friend who cannot be identified for legal reasons, ran a red light at high speed before colliding with a car in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on March 19 of the previous year. Jacob died eight days later in the hospital.
The driver of the e-scooter, who had received the vehicle as a gift two weeks prior to the incident, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Prosecutors stated that the exact speed of the e-scooter could not be determined, but it was in a 'turbo mode' setting, reaching up to 28 mph.
Dashcam footage, CCTV, and eyewitness accounts indicated that the teenager was traveling at speed when he entered the junction and was unable to avoid the collision. The judge noted that the driver's actions were reckless, driven by a desire for the thrill of high-speed riding without considering the danger to himself and his passenger.
The court heard that the youth had a difficult upbringing, had significant school absences, and had not completed a cycling proficiency course. However, he has reportedly made progress since the crash after moving to live with his father.
Judge Suzanne Goddard KC stated that due to the teenager's age, background, and lack of maturity, his culpability was assessed as lower than it might otherwise have been. The judge also noted that sending him to custody could negatively impact his mental health, education, and increase his risk of reoffending. The teenager received a five-year driving ban in addition to the rehabilitation order.
Jacob's mother, Carly Calland, expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating she believed a custodial sentence was warranted given that a life was taken. She has since launched a campaign called 'Jacob's Journey' to raise awareness about the dangers and legalities of e-scooter use.
Detective Constable Steve Pennington of Greater Manchester Police described the incident as tragic and avoidable. He commended Ms. Calland's efforts in promoting a worthy cause through her grief and urged parents to educate their children about the risks associated with using e-scooters on public roads.