The drivers of a Porsche Cayenne and Toyota Celica who raced each other along the A217 were jailed for 7 years yesterday after the Cayenne crashed into a Proton while travelling at 80mph. The Proton was carrying four pensioners returning home from bingo and all but one died in the impact.
According to reports, the race started when 31-year-old Richard Cherry accelerated past the Cayenne, driven by 42-year-old Adrian Kuti, at traffic lights. The Porsche gave chase and the cars were undertaking and overtaking traffic while tailgating each other at speeds of up to 100mph in a 40mph zone. The two drivers did not know each other and were both driving home at the time.
Both drivers were held equally responsible by judge Neil Stewart and both were found guilty of three counts of dangerous driving before each being handed seven-year jail sentences after the week-long trial. They were also banned from driving for six years when released.
Cayenne driver Kuti had been in jail before, when he received a five-year sentence for a road rage attack.