Driver filmed himself before hitting council staff

A man who filmed himself driving at 110mph (177km/h) before crashing into three council workers has been jailed.

Kurtis Walters lost control of his Audi A3 while speeding round a corner on the Royal Artillery Way dual carriageway in Southend in April 2024.

Police said two of the men, who were on ride-on lawnmowers, were seriously injured and would suffer long-term impacts.

The 26-year-old, of Oak Walk, Benfleet, was jailed for 20 months at Basildon Crown Court on 16 July. PC Nicole Plom said the sentence served as a "reminder of the devastating consequences" speeding can have.

A forensic examination of Walters' mobile phone found a video which showed the car's speedometer reaching a speed of 110mph moments before the collision.

This section of the road has a 50mph limit.

He told police he was driving at about 70mph and was braking when he saw the three workers on lawnmowers. Walters claimed he must have "locked the brakes up" before colliding with them.

Cheryl Nevin, the Labour cabinet member for civic pride at Southend-on-Sea City Council, said the impact "has been felt by the workers, their families and friends".

PC Plom hoped the outcome "provides the victims with a sense of justice and allows them to move forward".

Walters was also disqualified from driving for nearly three years and will have to take an extended driving test.

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