Jail for man following collision in Sheerness

A dangerous driver who fled the scene after a collision in Sheerness and tried to change his appearance in a bid to escape justice has been jailed.

On Saturday 20 July 2024, Luke Wells was seen driving a red Vauxhall Astra erratically and at high speed along Queenborough Road before colliding with a grey Peugeot that was turning right at a junction. The incident happened at 7.41pm.

Officers attended the scene, along with paramedics and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. All 4 occupants of the Peugeot were injured during the collision, including the front seat passenger who received serious, life threatening injuries including multiple fractures. The driver and another passenger also suffered fractures.

Witnesses

Witnesses told officers they had seen the driver of the Astra, later identified as Wells, flee on foot towards the direction of Queenborough, discarding his sandals in a driveway.

Following enquiries, officers located Wells at his home address in Lapwing Close, Minster at 9pm. He denied being in the car and told officers that he had sold it a few days before the collision and he’d been out on his pushbike.

Evidence that Wells had tried to change his appearance by shaving off some of his hair and beard was also found when officers found a freshly used towel and hair shavings in the bath. This was further corroborated when officers were able to compare pictures witnesses took of the defendant at the scene to when he was arrested just 2 hours later.

Forensic evidence found inside the car, with DNA matching that of Wells, further proved he was inside the car at the time of the collision.

Charged

The 31 year old was charged with 3 counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing, and at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 3 June 2026 was jailed for 3 years and 10 months. He was also disqualified from driving for 4 years.

Investigating officer Police Constable Sean Browne said: ‘Wells has shown himself to have no regard for the welfare of others, thinking only of himself when he decided to leave the scene of the collision.  ‘He knew exactly what he had done, and by trying to change his appearance, also showed a total disregard for the law.  ‘I’d like to thank the witnesses in this case who ensured we were able to bring this man to justice.’