Man jailed over fatal crash in dual carriageway race

A driver has been jailed for 14 years and four months for causing a fatal crash during a high-speed race on a dual carriageway.

Dannie O'Leary, 30, from London, pleaded guilty during his trial at Bournemouth Crown Court to causing death and two serious injuries by dangerous driving as well as using false plates.

George Greaves, 31, was pronounced dead on the A338 near the Ashley Heath Roundabout in Dorset on 25 June 2023.

Police said O'Leary and another car driver appeared to be racing and swerving between lanes before Mr Greaves' vehicle was struck.

Witnesses said O'Leary's Mercedes AMG and a Lexus GS300 were travelling "like a bullet" and undertaking traffic, according to police.

As they tried to pass Mr Greaves' Nissan Micra at about 21:25 BST, the Lexus collided with it, causing it to lose control, officers said.

O’Leary did not stop his vehicle and drove off from the scene, police added.

Mr Greaves, from Hampshire, who was a front seat passenger in the car, died at the scene while two other occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital.

The Lexus driver, Yusuf Muzil, 23, of Cricklewood, London, was jailed for 12 years in September.

A 29-year-old man from Solihull pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and using a false plate and has not yet been sentenced.

Sgt Dave Cotterill said: “Dannie O’Leary’s reckless and inconsiderate driving undoubtedly was a significant factor in causing this collision, which has had truly devastating consequences."

O'Leary, who was arrested in November, was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and two months.

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