The 19-year-old was caught mid-joy ride on the M2
A teenage driver who ploughed a stolen car into an ambulance responding to an emergency call has been jailed. Harry Foster-Smith, of Bexleyheath, injured two paramedics in the crash near Gillingham on August 29 – shortly after evading police on the M2.
The 19-year-old refused to stop during the high-speed pursuit, instead pushing the Volkswagen Golf he’d nicked from London earlier that day to over 100mph. Shaking off officers at junction four, Foster-Smith collided with the ambulance at the roundabout connecting the slip road with the A278 Hoath Way.
The two-person crew were taken to hospital, pulling them away from a waiting patient. Having fled the scene, a drone and sniffer dog-led search by Kent Police found Foster-Smith hiding in nearby woodland.
The teenager later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third-party insurance, possession of a class B drug, aggravated vehicle taking and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday (December 2).
He also had his licence revoked for three years. Investigating officer PC Lily Woodham said: “Foster-Smith’s actions that day were an appalling act of recklessness and put lives at risk. I hope this sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated and those who endanger others will face serious consequences.”
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