A motorist who accidentally caused his friend’s death while speeding in the rain has been jailed.

Shane Howland was charged after crashing his car into a tree along the A2 near Shepherdswell.

Emergency services were called to the coast-bound carriageway of the road on Wednesday, March 19, 2021, after the VW T-Cross left the road.

An investigation found the 26-year-old, formerly of Windsor Road, Canterbury, had been driving at 78mph at the time of the crash in light rain, above the 70mph speed limit.

The vehicle hit standing water on the carriageway and aquaplaned before leaving the road and colliding with a tree some distance away.

Denny Wiltshire, who was a passenger in the car at the time, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Howland sustained serious injuries to his neck, and was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford for treatment.

The police investigation found that if Howland had been driving at or below the speed limit, the car would have stopped before colliding with the tree and saved Mr Wiltshire’s life.

Howland admitted causing death by dangerous driving at Canterbury Crown Court and was jailed for three years on Wednesday (July 19).

Detective Constable Jim Galbraith, Kent Police's investigating officer, said: “This case sends out a clear message to all drivers that speeding leads to fatal collisions.

“I urge all drivers to stick to the speed limit whatever the weather, as flouting it could be the difference between you or your passengers surviving a collision.

“My thoughts are with Mr Wiltshire's family and friends and I offer them Kent Police's condolences for their loss.”

Many of Mr Wiltshire’s friends took to social media to pay tribute to the “amazing” man following the crash.

One friend said: “I’m devastated. Denny was amazing.”

Another friend said: "Another one taken too soon, he was a very polite young man, he will be greatly missed by many".

A third commented that he would "never be forgotten".

"Denny was a great guy," they continued. "And was so lovely to everyone who knew him".