Man guilty in crash that killed two people in Loughton

Kane Faulkner-Wild had been driving a silver BMW which left the road and hit a tree in Goldings Hill during the early hours on August 24, 2019.

Front seat passenger Sophia Khan, 16, and 21-year-old Max Halcrow, both from Loughton, were fatally injured.

A 16-year-old girl sitting in the rear was thrown from the car and a 17-year-old sitting behind the driver’s seat was trapped.

Both were taken to hospital with life changing injuries.

The crash in Goldings Hill, Loughton. Picture: Essex Police.

Faulkner-Wild was found walking away from the driver’s door with minor injuries - though he denied driving the vehicle after a night out drinking.

He was charged with numerous offences, which he denied, before standing trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The jury heard how the car was travelling far in excess of the 40mph speed limit when it crashed and that Faulkner-Wild’s blood alcohol level showed he was above the drink driving limit.

On Tuesday, December 1 the jury found Kane Faulkner-Wild guilty of the following offences and he’s due to be sentenced next month:

• Two counts of causing death by dangerous driving;
• Two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Kane Faulkner-Wild. Picture: Essex Police.

Detective sergeant Sam Nason said: “The deaths of Sophia Khan and Max Halcrow were tragic and completely preventable. Two other young people were left with serious life changing injuries.

“Kane Faulkner-Wild should not have got behind the wheel that night after he knew that he had been drinking and wasn’t safe to do so.

“Despite denying his involvement in causing the collision, the jury heard that our investigation proved he was the driver and fully responsible.

“Two families will now live with the knowledge that their daughter and son were taken too soon.”

The conviction comes as police launched their Christmas anti-drink and drug driving campaign.

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “The consequences of drink driving can be life-changing – it could lead to you losing your licence, your career, your home.

“Or worse, it could cost you or someone else their life.

“It won’t just affect you; it will affect your partner, your parents and your children.

“Imagine the face of your child on Christmas morning as they open their present, but you’re not there.

“Your presence means the world to them, why wouldn’t you want to be there for them?”