Driver jailed after two hit-and-runs in six days

A driver who seriously injured two people in separate hit-and-run crashes has been jailed.

Kallum Flowers caused Joshua Lloyd "significant life-changing injuries" when the van he was driving smashed into Mr Lloyd's car in Rotherham in June 2023, before speeding off.

Six days later the 35-year-old crashed an Audi RS3 into a Vauxhall Corsa in South Kirkby, Wakefield, seriously injuring Margaret Gill, 61.

Flowers, of Masefield Road, West Melton, was jailed for six years and six months at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to report and failing to stop.

He was also banned from driving for eight years and three months.

According to South Yorkshire Police the first crash happened on 22 June 2023 at the junction of Rotherham Road and Firth Road, in Rotherham.

The force said Flowers was driving at such speed when he hit Mr Lloyd's car he pushed it 196ft (60m) along Rotherham Road and into a stone wall.

The driver's door was ripped off during the collision and Mr Lloyd, 28, was thrown from the vehicle.

Police said his injuries were so severe he continues to receive around-the-clock medical care and has been unable to return home since the collision.

Following the crash, Flowers was picked up by Hannah Costello, 30, also of Masefield Road, West Melton, in order to evade police.

Less than a week late, on 28 June, Flowers failed to stop for officers in Common Road, South Kirkby, and crashed into Ms Gill's Vauxhall Corsa at the junction of Park Estate and Stockingate, before driving off.

Flowers was eventually arrested on 2 November 2023.

Sgt John Taylor of South Yorkshire Police said: "He knowingly and willingly chose to drive through a red light and showed absolutely no regard for the law or other road users.

"Joshua sustained significant life-changing injuries during the collision and our thoughts remain very much with him and his family today."

Meanwhile, PC Shaw of West Yorkshire Police, said Flowers showed no thought for his victim's welfare, adding: "Making our roads safer is a priority in West Yorkshire and we will continue to work with partners and take action against those who use vehicles in a dangerous or anti-social manner."

Costello, who was charged with dangerous driving and assisting an offender, was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years.

She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 12 months.

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