Driver Jailed After 110mph Crash Leaves Two Council Workers with Life-Changing Injuries

Mobile phone footage showing speeds of more than 100mph proved crucial in securing the conviction of an Audi driver who ploughed into council workers carrying out routine highway maintenance in Southend.

A motorist who recorded himself driving at speeds exceeding 110mph before crashing into three local authority workers has been sentenced to 20 months in prison following a collision that left two men with life-changing injuries.

Kurtis Walters, 26, lost control of his Audi A3 on Royal Artillery Way in Southend in April 2024, striking three employees from Southend-on-Sea City Council who were travelling in convoy on ride-on lawnmowers while carrying out grounds maintenance.

The dual carriageway has a 50mph speed limit, but investigators later discovered Walters had been travelling at more than double that speed moments before the collision.

Video Evidence Exposed Dangerous Driving

During police interviews, Walters claimed he had been travelling at around 70mph before braking heavily when he noticed the maintenance vehicles ahead, suggesting he had locked the wheels before impact.

However, forensic examination of his mobile phone told a very different story.

Investigators recovered video footage recorded shortly before the collision showing the Audi's speedometer climbing to approximately 110mph, providing compelling evidence of the manner in which the vehicle was being driven.

The footage became a key part of the prosecution case.

Workers Left with Lasting Injuries

The three council employees were undertaking routine grounds maintenance at the time of the collision.

Two of the men sustained serious injuries that have had a permanent impact on their lives, while all three were simply carrying out their duties when they were struck.

Walters was subsequently charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, offences he admitted when appearing before Basildon Magistrates' Court in March 2026.

Prison Sentence and Driving Ban

Appearing before Basildon Crown Court on 16 July, Walters, of Oak Walk, Benfleet, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment.

In addition to the custodial sentence, he was disqualified from driving for two years and 10 months and will be required to pass an extended driving test before being permitted to return to the road.

Council Welcomes Court Outcome

Following the sentencing, Councillor Cheryl Nevin, Southend-on-Sea City Council's Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, paid tribute to the injured workers and those who responded to the incident.

She said the collision had profoundly affected not only the injured employees but also their families, friends and colleagues, adding that the council welcomed the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

Councillor Nevin also thanked Essex Police and the emergency services for their professionalism throughout the investigation and confirmed the authority remains committed to supporting the injured workers as they continue their rehabilitation.

Commenting on the case, Vip Gandhi, Chair of the Stamp It Out campaign, said:

“This case exemplifies exactly why Stamp It Out collaborated with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to develop a road-crime evidence guidance booklet.

“Securing a conviction depends on investigators being able to demonstrate clearly what happened, how the vehicle was being driven and the level of risk created. Video evidence is an absolute must wherever it is available, whether captured by a dashcam, mobile phone, body-worn camera, site CCTV or another recording device.

“In this instance, the footage recovered from the driver’s own phone directly contradicted the account he initially gave to police and revealed the true speed of the vehicle before the collision.

“Frontline workers should never face this level of danger simply for carrying out their jobs.

Gathering, preserving and submitting the right evidence gives police and prosecutors the best possible opportunity to hold dangerous drivers accountable.”