A YOUNG man who got into a car to film footage for social media died in a crash following a high-speed race.
Callum Chapman was making a video on his mobile phone when the car ploughed into trees, killing him.
A pair of speeding drivers, who used the A24 “like a race track," have been jailed following his death.
Callum's mother Jillie Slope has now pleaded with motorists not to speed.
She said: “I would urge all drivers to think before putting their foot down on the accelerator.
"Think about the potential consequences of your actions.
"Speed kills.”
Callum and his friend had agreed to be the passengers in two cars - a Lexus GS300 and a Toyota Supra.
Both the driver of the Lexus, Curtis Gaare Michael, and the Toyota driver was Michael Yazgic, were witnessed driving far in excess of the 70mph speed limit.
Gaare Michael lost control of the Lexus and crashed near Southwater. He has now been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.
While Yazgic was convicted of dangerous driving following the tragedy on December 6, 2020.
Following the court case, Jillie added: “Callum was just 24. His life had just turned a corner for the better. His mental health was much improved and he had finally got a job where his autism didn't matter. He was so happy.
“On 6 December 2020 a selfish driver, showing off with no concern for his passenger, drove above the speed limit reaching excessive speeds and took my son’s life in a split second.
"We lost a son and a brother, a step-son, step-brother and a friend to so many.
“His sister Madi will not have her brother walking her down the aisle at her wedding and he won't be the amazing uncle to her children that I know he would have been. She will miss his craziness, tormenting her, popping into her room for chats, borrowing a fiver and his protectiveness as her big brother.
“His friends have lost their confidant, the detecting buddy, the car fanatic, the clown, the historian, the joker and their mediator and protector.
“As his mum, there will be no chance of any grandchildren, no phone calls, no hugs, no daily chats, no more dad jokes every night at the dinner table and no spontaneous trips.
"The infectious, crazy laugh that would carry for a fair distance. The phone calls of excitement when he went metal detecting and dug up a hammered coin.
"The tears and utter joy when he helped an injured or lost animal. The chaos he brought home will be missed.
“Everyone's world exploded and the ripple effect from his loss is far reaching and devastating. The bright shining beacon that you were has been put out far too soon, the world is now a darker place without you."
Gaare Michael, who suffered serious injuries in the crash, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
The 37-year-old, of Westfield Rise, Saltdean, was disqualified from driving for four years and six months.
While Yazgic, of Packham Way, Burgess Hill, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment
The 29-year-old was disqualified from driving for 21 months.
Judge Laing QC said the pair “used the A24 as a race track to show off”.
She added: “You were prepared to create a substantial risk to other road users by driving at grossly excessive speeds.”
After the crash, investigators analysed footage captured by Callum during the journey.
They found that the two vehicles had left Buck Barn services before travelling in convoy northbound on the A24.
Gaare Michael was driving between 87mph and 104mph when he lost control and crashed before the Hop Oast Roundabout.
Yazgic, who was leading the convoy, then realised the Lexus was no longer behind him, so he turned around at the roundabout and returned to the crash scene.
Investigating officer, Lauren Upton, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Tragically, Callum Chapman had been recording footage on his mobile phone from inside the Lexus.
"This captured the moments leading to the collision and the collision itself, as well as the dangerous driving by Gaare Michael and Yazgic.
“The shocking footage showed both defendants driving at a grossly excessive speed on a busy dual carriageway on a Sunday afternoon with many other road users around, all of whom were driving at a sensible speed.
“Their actions of choosing to ‘show off’ their high performance cars resulted in devastating consequences for Callum’s family and friends.
“We will continue to investigate serious collisions and bring to justice those who compromise the safety of themselves and others on our roads in Sussex.’’
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