An 18-year-old teenager crashed his newly acquired car into an 84-year-old man and then texted a friend admitting the incident. Sonny Horsfall lost control of his black Audi A4 on West Dyke Road in Redcar, North Yorkshire, causing it to hit a tree and strike the elderly man who was walking home at 10:23 pm.
Following the collision, Horsfall, who was a chef at a wellness retreat, ordered pizza just hours later, despite the victim being thrown into the air due to the impact. The court heard that the Audi’s front wheel was damaged, with visible sparks emanating from the vehicle, and significant damage to the front windscreen and bonnet.
Neighbors called an ambulance upon discovering the injured man lying on the grass, but Horsfall had already fled the scene, having grabbed the car key. He had purchased the Audi for £250 from a friend earlier that evening and later messaged the friend about losing control of the vehicle and hitting someone.
Horsfall drove over 30 miles to Redcar that night, recording Snapchat videos while driving recklessly, including speeding over bumps and disregarding traffic signals. After the crash, he messaged a friend on Snapchat confessing to hitting the old man and expressing fear of facing consequences.
The teenager was arrested the next day in Malton and was sentenced to three years in prison, along with a four-year driving disqualification. The elderly victim survived but sustained severe injuries, undergoing surgery to repair his hip and experiencing a challenging recovery process that affected his independence and mobility.
Horsfall pleaded guilty to multiple driving offenses, with his defense citing his PTSD and remorse for his actions. The judge condemned his actions as reckless and harmful, emphasizing the serious consequences of dangerous driving. Detective Constable Rachael Johnson condemned the collision as avoidable and highlighted the importance of responsible driving to prevent such incidents in the future.
