Son relives moment he cradled his dying father in his arms after he was struck in hit and run by two racing drivers, the last of whom was finally jailed this week

A devastated son has recalled the tragic moment he cradled his dying father in his arms after he was struck in a hit and run by two racing drivers.

Grandfather John Richardson, 59, was tragically killed outside his son’s house on September 20, 2019, after Adam Ross, 30, and 23-year-old Daniel Salvin became involved in a race on the roads of Bolton. 

Salvin, who was driving the Vauxhall Vectra which struck Mr Richardson, was jailed in 2019 for seven years and four months after pleading guilty to the charge.

But Ross, who had managed to dodge justice for four years, was finally jailed this week at Bolton Crown Court after he was convicted by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving.

A moving statement from Mr Richardson’s son John Stephens, which had been heard before by the court sitting in 2019, was read out by prosecutor Harriet Tighe again this week. 

John Stephens (right) has recalled the tragic moment he cradled his dying father (middle) in his arms after he was struck in a hit and run by two racing drivers

59-year-old grandfather John Richardson was tragically killed outside his son’s house on September 20 2019 after Adam Ross, 30 and 23-year-old Daniel Salvin became involved in a race on the roads of Bolton

Salvin (pictured), who was driving the Vauxhall Vectra which struck Mr Richardson, was jailed in 2019 for seven years and four months after pleading guilty to the charge

It read: ‘After hearing the noise I ran outside to see what had happened and could see people looking down the street.

‘When I turned to look I then noticed my dad was on the ground and realised he had been hit by a car. I ran over to help him and tried to save him until the paramedics arrived. 

‘Nobody should ever have to see their dad dying on the ground. I held his hand whilst he was on the ground but he effectively died at the scene.’

Inquiries revealed Mr Richardson was mowed down by one of two cars which had been racing each other bumper-to-bumper at speeds of over 60mph.

The victim, who had nine grandchildren, died a week later in hospital after succumbing to his injuries when his family agreed to switch off his life support machine. 

In the immediate aftermath, both drivers fled the scene with Salvin torching his Vauxhall Vectra before fleeing to Northern Ireland by ferry before being arrested later.

Ross managed to dodge justice for over four years – during which he was jailed for leading police on a high speed pursuit when he was caught drug dealing. Neither driver had ever passed a driving test.

Mr Stephen’s statement continued: ‘I am struggling to sleep at the moment and as the collision happened directly outside where I live, I can’t get away from what happened. It’s a constant reminder and we spend all our time in the back of the house.

‘At the minute I don’t let my children out the house and I won’t let them cross the road without me. I am frightened something will happen to them if I’m not there. Every bang and loud noise brings back memories of the night and at the moment I am struggling to get through the day.

‘Paps was a grandad to nine children and all of them loved him and looked up to him. They all know about what happened and one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do and was to explain to them that their grandad is not coming back.

Ross (pictured), who had managed to dodge justice for four years, was finally jailed this week at Bolton Crown Court after he was convicted by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving

In the immediate aftermath, both drivers fled the scene with Salvin (pictured) torching his Vauxhall Vectra before fleeing to Northern Ireland by ferry before being arrested later

‘This collision shouldn’t have happened because the drivers shouldn’t have even been on the road. I can’t forgive them for what they have done. This collision has taken away a huge part of me and my family’s lives.’

Details emerged at Bolton Crown Court as it was revealed Salvin had been on a pub crawl with friends that evening.

In the minutes before the crash, he had been involved in a confrontation with a female motorist whose Mercedes was scraped by his car as he passed her. 

Verbal abuse was shouted towards her as a passenger in Salvin’s car attacked her vehicle with a baseball bat. 

Driving off, Salvin then came up behind Ross’ red VW Golf and after overtaking, the pair started racing each other along streets in the Deane and Great Lever areas of the town.

CCTV footage played in court showed the two vehicles speeding across a mini roundabout and pedestrian crossing.

As the cars were racing along Rishton Lane, Mr Richardson stepped out into the road and upon seeing the two vehicles racing towards him, tried to jog to the pavement before being mowed down.

Salvin’s car was found on fire a short distance away following the accident. Ross also fled the scene but was later traced. He claimed he had swapped seats with a friend in the moments before the crash and that the friend was driving at the moment of impact.

The court heard that Ross had 33 previous offences on his record, many for car theft and joyriding related matters dating back to 2007 when he was 14.

In June 2020 he was locked up for 27 months after he led police on a car chase through the streets of Bolton during which he jumped a red light at 50mph and threw away a stash of heroin and cocaine as he fled down an alleyway.

Both he and Salvin were only provisional licence holders.

Inquiries revealed Mr Richardson was mowed down by one of two cars which had been racing each other bumper-to-bumper at speeds of over 60mph

Flower tributes laid out in memory of John Richardson who was killed in a hit and run crash

Mr Richardson (left) pictured with his two sons Anthony (middle) and John (right)

Sentencing Judge Nicholas Clarke KC told Ross: ‘You engaged in competitive driving with another driver and all this occurred in a dense residential area. Salvin instigated the race by pursuing you but although you allowed him to overtake, you then readily took up the challenge, accelerating so quickly you caught up with him from a standing start within a very short distance.

‘Another witness noticed your vehicles being driven at high speed. They were so close to each other, she formed the view they were racing against each other. Both vehicles went through a mini roundabout and a pedestrian crossing without slowing down.

‘Mr Richardson was about to complete his crossing when he was struck. He was thrown onto the bonnet and windscreen before landing on the pavement, He was left lying there by both of you – you left Mr Richardson to die.

‘Your failure to stop and render assistance shows a callous disregard for the welfare of Mr Richardson. You have an appalling record and you clearly think the laws of the road do not apply to you. You have no regards for the consequences of your actions and are clearly prepared to risk the lives of pedestrians, other road users and police officers who try to arrest you.

‘It is a significant aggravating feature that having been partly responsible for the death of Mr Richardson, you carried on driving without a licence or insurance and continued to drive dangerously. This a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road and have continued to show contempt for the them even when this crash was being investigated.

‘It was only matter of chance as to which of you two racing along the highway would hit an innocent pedestrian. You both are equally to blame for the tragedy of Mr Richardson’s death.’

Earlier defence counsel Ben Berkson, for Ross said in mitigation: ‘The impact of what had happened in September 2019 had a downward spiral effect on his life, leading him to consume and then sell Class A drugs. There is no evidence that this was competitive racing between two people who knew each other

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