Dartford man who drove into lorry at 130mph jailed for causing death

Connor Money was convicted of causing death by dangerous after causing a major car crash driving on the M2 in October 2019.

The 23-year-old, of Essex Road, Dartford, sped into a HGV whilst he was trying to overtake another vehicle after police tried to stop him for dangerous driving.

They were travelling at around 130mph when they collided with the lorry, and moments after the crash Money fled into nearby woodland.

His front seat passenger, another 23-year-old man from Dartford, died at the scene.

Money has been sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court today, May 20, to nine years in jail, plus another 10 months for an unrelated police case.

Sergeant Chris Wade, Kent Police’s lead investigating officer for the case, called it "without doubt the worst driving I have encountered in 25 years of policing."

"Money’s decision to ignore two police officers and instead drive away at grossly excessive speeds, endangering countless other motorists, is beyond comprehension.

"A young man, with his whole life ahead of him, died as a consequence of Money’s reckless decision and instead of staying at the scene his first thought was to run away and evade capture."

He added: "‘I know this case has affected a great many people and, while Money’s imprisonment does not undo the harm caused, I sincerely hope they can find a degree of closure in this sentencing."

At around 1.30pm on October 8, two Kent Police officers travelling in an unmarked patrol vehicle became suspicious of Money’s driving while he was travelling on the coastbound M2.

The officers overtook Money and requested he follow them then pull over.

Police said it appeared Money was following instructions, when aspolice pulled off the motorway Money suddenly disobeyed and sped off down the motorway.

Within a five minute window, Kent Police recieved several calls about Money's manner of driving, and a dashboard cameria fitted to a lorry captured him travelling at around 140mph.

As Money passed junction 4, driving at around 130 mph, he attempted to undertake a lorry that had moved from lane one to lane two to make way for another HGV that was joining from the slip road.

Money failed to see the joining vehicle and collided with the back of it.

Instead of staying at the scene to check on the wellbeing of his front seat passenger, Money chose to run into some nearby woodland. The passenger, a 23-year-old man from Dartford, died at the scene.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police, who had been on a training exercise in Kent, came across the collision shortly after it happened and provided first aid to the victim at the scene. They also went on to find Money in South Bush Lane, where he was arrested.

Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit investigated the case and charged Money with causing death by dangerous driving while he was still in custody. He has been held on remand since. 

Upon being released from prison, Money will be the subject of a 10 year driving ban.