Ryan Selby, 23, was driving at speeds between 107 and 113mph along the A259 Rye Road in Hastings on March 9, 2021. Witnesses reported seeing him aggressively overtaking vehicles as he approached Hastings, disregarding all traffic rules.
Selby’s reckless driving ended in tragedy when he hit Oli Paxton, a beloved father of three, who was crossing the road in a white cross-hatched area. Selby did not brake before the collision and only stopped further along the road. Paxton died instantly at the scene.
At Lewes Crown Court on October 20, Selby pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. The factory worker from Burry Road, St Leonards, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and received a driving ban lasting eight years and three months.
Judge Christine Laing KC condemned Selby’s actions, stating: “You showed a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road. Your driving was so appalling that other drivers changed routes to avoid you.”
Selby claimed that he did not see Mr Paxton due to glare from the low sun. However, the court referenced Highway Code rule 237, which advises drivers to slow down or stop if dazzled by bright sunlight. The judge emphasised that Selby’s excessive speed, particularly in a residential area near two schools, was the primary cause of the fatal incident.
Mr Paxton’s wife, Jill, expressed her grief, saying: “This was never about justice – there isn’t justice for what we have lost. Ryan Selby’s reckless speeding — 110mph in a 40mph zone — robbed me of my husband and my boys of their dad. No prison sentence will heal these wounds.”
She added, “May Oli’s death remind everyone that a car is a lethal weapon. Dangerous driving can have unthinkable consequences.”
Sussex Police officer Tudor Wells commented: “Selby habitually drove recklessly. This tragic outcome shows why speeding is one of the ‘fatal five’ causes of death on our roads. All motorists must drive safely and stick to speed limits.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
