Two cousins have been jailed following a high-speed collision in Luton Road that claimed the life of a pedestrian and caused a major gas leak.
Tyron Francois, 29, and David Francois, 49, were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday after a night of drinking ended in the death of Jason Bale.
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The court heard that in the early hours of November 27, 2021, the pair left a social function in David’s Ford Transit van. Dashcam footage captured erratic driving and a heated argument over who should steer. After narrowly missing a fence, David swapped seats with Tyron, who was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.
While speeding through a 30mph zone, Tyron mounted a footpath, crashing through brick walls and iron fences. The impact struck Mr. Bale with such force that he was thrown into a basement garden. The collision also severed a gas main, forcing an emergency evacuation of the area.
Following the crash, Tyron fled the scene but David remained with the vehicle—claiming he could not leave his cats, which were in the back—but became violent toward arriving officers, kicking and bruising three of them. Mr. Bale’s body was discovered by a firefighter during the evacuation; despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Verdicts
| Defendant | Charge | Sentence |
| Tyron Francois | Causing death by dangerous driving | 8 years imprisonment |
| David Francois | Aiding and abetting death by dangerous driving | 13 years imprisonment; 17-year driving ban |
Investigating officer DS Dawn Smith said:
‘Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Jason’s family. While nothing can undo their loss, we hope today’s custodial sentences mark a step toward justice and brings them some measure of comfort. This devastating collision was caused by Tyron and David Francois’s reckless decisions on that fateful night. They chose to drive under the influence of drink and drugs and chose to continue to drive after numerous near misses. David’s sentence is a stark reminder that even as passenger you have a responsibility within the vehicle you are travelling in. Our message to all motorist and passengers, especially at this time of year, is to drive safety, taking unnecessary risks and breaking the law can cost lives.’