A LEDBURY man has been jailed after the passenger of the car he was driving died when he lost control of the vehicle.

Daniel Kalva, of Bridge Street in Ledbury, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court on March 5 to charges of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured and unlicensed and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 11 years.

In the early hours of November 7, 2022, 21-year-old Kalva was travelling on the A438, between Hereford and Ledbury, with passenger Molly Stone and one other passenger.

Kalva lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a building.

Molly, who was 19 years old, was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries in hospital in the early hours of November 8.

In the aftermath of the crash, police confirmed that the teenager had been taken to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth hospital after the car she had been travelling in crashed into a derelict building between Ledbury and the Trumpet crossroads.

Two teenagers were arrested after the crash, police said in November 2022.

Hereford Times:

Molly was described by her former school, John Masefield High School in Ledbury, as a "wonderful student who was always kind and considerate to everyone".

"“She was always laughing and enjoying the company of others and was a role model for positivity and friendship. She always put others ahead of herself and was an inspiring young lady," the school said.

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Police Constable Jamie Carr from Hereford operations policing unit said: “No length of sentencing will ever be able to replace a daughter and sister who was very much loved by family and friends. Molly’s parents and sister have been extremely brave throughout the investigation into the loss of their daughter and sibling.

“Molly’s parents would like to thank the emergency services who attended the incident for their work and also the NHS for their efforts to save Molly’s life”.

“I do hope that one positive outcome to this traumatic incident is that it gives a clear message that people should not get behind a wheel unless they are legally able to so and drive responsibly with care and thought of others”.