Last Updated on: 28th January 2023, 10:53 pm
Who is Luke Hawkes? Biography, Wiki
Luke Hawkes, a pickup truck driver who told police “I hope I killed someone” when arrested for causing the death of a teenager in a crash, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
He ran a red light at high speed, collided with two vehicles, and instantly killed 19-year-old Bethany Branson.
Luke Hawke’s Age
His current age is 28 years.
What Was The Crime?
Hawkes ran a red light at high speed, collided with two vehicles, and killed 19-year-old Bethany Branson on November 18 last year. Hawkes was driving a white Ford Transit on the A38 in Bridgwater, Somerset when the tragedy struck, but he showed no remorse.
He refused to provide a breath sample for testing after being pinned to a taser point following the terrorist attack.
What Was The Trial And Police Investigation Report?
The court heard that Hawkes showed no remorse for his actions and refused to submit to a curb breath test or a drug and breathalyzer test.
During his arrest, Hawkes was caught on body video saying, “I hope I killed someone. You know what, I’ll be three, four, five. I hope I killed her.”
Hawkes was previously involved in a minor road accident further up the A38 in Taunton near the Showground roundabout before Bethany died in the crash. He then left the crime scene for Bridgewater, where he was involved in the fatal collision.
Three other people, including Hawkes, were slightly injured. Judge Paul Cook said: “You can tell this was lengthy, consistent, and intentional conduct. You were obviously drunk as I have seen your state of intoxication on various videos.”
“It was very clear that Bethany was a bubbly and contagious person, destined for a life of generosity and breaking family hearts.”
“You created a sea of carnage and then left. You were then heard to say, ‘I’m glad he died, he deserved it’ and ‘I hope [you] killed someone’.”
Hawkes’ conviction is one of the first to be carried out under the new sentencing guidelines, which will allow judges to impose harsher sentences on deaths related to dangerous and reckless driving and increase the maximum sentence of 14 years to life in prison for dangerous driving.
Jailed
Hawkes, of Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to present a sample at a previous hearing. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and sentenced to a 12-year, a seven-month driving ban by Taunton Crown Court on Friday.
