Grieving families have witnessed the destruction of a car involved in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers at an illegal street racing event.
A Deadly Night in Oldbury
In November 2022, a crowd had gathered along Oldbury Road in the West Midlands to watch an unauthorised street racing meet-up. Dhiya Al-Maamoury was driving his heavily-modified Nissan Skyline at speed, performing a drifting manoeuvre made possible by the vehicle's alterations. He lost control, and the car mounted the pavement, crashing into pedestrians.
The collision resulted in the deaths of Ben Corfield, 19, and 16-year-old Liberty Charris. Two other teenagers, Ebonie Parkes and Ethan Kilburn, were seriously injured in the incident.
Justice and Deprivation
Al-Maamoury was subsequently convicted and, in November 2024, was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison. Following the sentencing, West Midlands Police secured a deprivation order for the vehicle. This legal step allowed officers to seize the car, which had been imported specifically for use in street racing events.
Recently, several family members of the victims, along with investigating officers, attended a site to see the Nissan Skyline crushed into scrap metal. Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes from the force's Serious Collision Unit stated that the destruction marked an important milestone for the families, ensuring the dangerous car would never be driven again.
Police Crackdown on Illegal Racing
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police emphasised their ongoing campaign, Operation Hercules, which targets individuals involved in street racing or car cruising. The operation has led to significant enforcement action:
- 63 convictions since August last year.
- A further 49 cases are proceeding through the courts.
- Hundreds of drivers have been sent on diversionary courses.
DS Hughes added: "I hope this sends a strong message that we won’t tolerate any illegal activity on our roads. Our priority is keeping the roads safe for everyone, and we would urge people witnessing street racing to contact us."
