A teenager has been jailed after his dangerous driving led to the death of his friend in a crash on a rural Lancashire road.
Max Greenhouse, 17, died after the collision in Fir Tree Lane, Aughton, on the evening of December 11, 2024.
Preston Crown Court heard that the driver, Joe McAldon, had passed his driving test just six days earlier.
At the time of the crash, the then-17-year-old had picked up Max and two other friends, aged 16 and 17, before driving to Clieves Hill nearby.
After leaving the area, McAldon was travelling along Fir Tree Lane when he lost control of his Vauxhall Corsa while speeding, colliding with a stone wall at a farmhouse shortly after 9pm.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang before hearing McAldon shout: "I need to get out."
Members of the public alerted emergency services and began administering first aid at the scene.
McAldon and the two other passengers suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital. Max was also taken to hospital but died a short time later despite the efforts of medical staff.
An investigation later established that McAldon had been travelling at at least 57mph. The court heard the bend where he lost control could have been safely negotiated at the 40mph speed limit.
After recovering from his injuries, McAldon gave a prepared statement in interview, claiming he could not remember the collision, and answered 'no comment' to further questions.
Now aged 18 and of Ridgeway Drive, Lydiate, Merseyside, McAldon pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.
He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, May 15, to four years in custody and disqualified from driving for eight years.
In a moving statement, Max’s family described the devastating impact of the tragedy.
They said: "Our son, Max, was just 17 years old.
"He was a loving, caring boy who brought so much warmth and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew him.
"He had his whole life ahead of him, his plans, his dreams, his future, all taken away in an instant.
"The actions of one individual have torn our world apart in a way that words can barely describe.
"No sentence can ever make up for the loss we now live every single day.
"We will never get over losing Max.
"There will always be an empty space in our lives where he should be — at home with us, laughing with his friends, growing into the person he was meant to become.
"We hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences dangerous driving can have.
"One reckless decision can destroy lives, not only for those directly involved, but for the families and communities left behind."
Detective Sergeant Joe Ghigi, of Lancashire Police, said McAldon’s actions had "taken his friend’s life".
He added: "McAldon was a new driver and did what many people do after passing their test — he took his friends out for a drive.
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"What he also did, however, was drive dangerously, speed down rural country lanes and put himself and his friends at risk.
"He was responsible for Max’s death because of the way he was driving.
"No sentence will bring Max back to his loved ones, or undo the impact on those involved, but I hope this case makes clear the devastating consequences reckless driving can have.
"Driving laws are there for a reason — not to spoil your fun, but to save lives."
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