Driver Receives 14-Year Sentence for Fatal 102mph Crash in Stolen Vehicle
A Birmingham driver has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for causing the death of his best friend by dangerous driving after reaching speeds of 102mph in a stolen car on a residential street.
Rhemeese Lawrence-Hayden, 27, crashed the stolen Ford Focus into a tree on Linden Road in Bournville on October 2, 2022, killing his front seat passenger and closest friend David Brennan, aged 26.
Devastating Impact on Family
Mr Brennan suffered fatal injuries in the collision and died later at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. His partner was pregnant at the time of his death, and he never had the opportunity to meet his daughter.
In emotional victim impact statements read at Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Brennan's girlfriend Anisa McEntee described how their daughter "carries his spirit every day" but will "grow up without holding her daddy's hand."
Mr Brennan's mother Marie Jones said: "He was my only son, his death left a hole in my life that will never be filled. He was my greatest pride. I loved him dearly."
Pattern of Dangerous Behavior
The court heard that Lawrence-Hayden had a history of driving offenses despite never holding a valid license. He had ten previous convictions for 21 offenses, including aggravated vehicle taking and driving while banned.
Prosecutor Tim Harrington told the court that CCTV footage captured the stolen Ford Focus accelerating from 68mph to between 80 and 102mph on Linden Road, which has a 30mph speed limit. The vehicle hit the central reservation, struck a kerb, and collided with a tree with such force that Mr Brennan was ejected from the car.
"Given the speed, the force of the impact caused Mr Brennan to be ejected," said Mr Harrington. "As a result he suffered multiple severe injuries and went into cardiac arrest."
Aftermath of the Crash
Following the collision, Lawrence-Hayden was driven away from the scene. The next day, he visited Mr Brennan's mother's home with flowers and confessed to being the driver, identifying himself as "Ren."
He handed over Mr Brennan's phone while ensuring his own fingerprints were not on the device. Forensic analysis later recovered Lawrence-Hayden's saliva from the vehicle's airbag, and phone data placed him at the crash scene.
Lawrence-Hayden was arrested in February 2023 and was on bail in April of that year when he was involved in another incident, fleeing police in another stolen car before crashing.
Court Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, March 26, Judge Roderick Henderson sentenced Lawrence-Hayden to 14 years in prison and banned him from driving for five years upon his release.
The judge stated: "You have had plenty of warnings about your behaviour and ignored them. This was not a case of a momentary lapse. This was deliberate contempt for the rules of the road and safety of other people."
Judge Henderson added: "You've lost your best friend and will have to live with that for the rest of your life."
Previous Convictions and Medical Issues
The court heard that Lawrence-Hayden had been told by his GP not to drive and had since been diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite this, he continued to drive illegally and dangerously.
In March 2025, Lawrence-Hayden had already been sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison for offenses including conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and handling stolen goods. His new 14-year sentence will run consecutively, meaning it will not begin until he reaches the release point of his current sentence.
Defense Statement
Defense barrister Ekwall Tiwana told the court: "The defendant accepted full responsibility for the death of David Brennan who was not simply a passenger, he was his closest friend. They did a lot of activities together. He is his son's godfather, someone treated as family."
Mr Tiwana added that Lawrence-Hayden had become an "enhanced prisoner" while in custody and had obtained two jobs, indicating efforts at rehabilitation.
The tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the lifelong impact on victims' families, particularly when the driver shows what the judge described as "deliberate contempt" for road safety rules.
