A motorist killed a 19-year-old after driving through a red light, and police bodycam footage shows him stating that he hoped somebody died during the crash.
The incident took place on November 18 2022 when 28-year-old Luke Hawkes drove through the lights at high speed before colliding with two cars which resulted in the tragic death of 19-year-old Bethany Branson, per the Daily Mail.
Hawkes was driving a white Ford Transit van in Bridgwater, Somerset, UK at the time of the crash, and in the aftermath, he was held at tazer point.
The footage was shared on Facebook by Avon and Somerset Police, where it shows the 28-year-old refusing to take a breathalyzer test before stating "hopefully I killed them" in reference to the cars he smashed into.
"I hope I killed someone," Hawkes can be heard saying in the footage. "Oh well, you know what, I will get three, four, five years. Hopefully, I killed them."
Failing to provide a roadside sample of an alcohol or drugs test is an arrestable offense, and the courts heard that Hawkes refused to provide these alongside showing no remorse for his actions.
He pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen, alongside causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars and was banned from driving for 12 years and seven months, as reported by the Daily Mail.
As cited by the outlet, Judge Paul Cook said to Hawkes: "You can tell this was a prolonged, consistent and deliberate course of driving. It was obvious that you were drunk as I have seen the state of your intoxication on a number of videos.
"It was very clear that Bethany was a bubbly and infectious person, destined for a life of giving which has shattered the hearts of the family.
"You created a sea of carnage and then left. You were then heard saying 'I'm glad she is dead, she deserved it' and 'Hopefully [you] killed someone'."
In the police footage, Amy Branson said this about her daughter: "She was thoughtful, she was loved. She always said growing up that she was here for the good times and not for a long time and it's heartbreaking that actually, she was right."
The family was commended by the police on their bravery in the face of such tragedy, and they hope that seeing Hawkes receive a lengthy sentence will give them closure.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Bethany Branson.
