Man admits hit-and-run crash that killed teenager

News imageSubmitted Noah smiling at the camera. He is wearing a white football shirt with red edging and has short curly hair.Submitted
Noah's family said he had loved going to Liverpool and Luton Town matches with his dad

A man has pleaded guilty to killing a teenage boy in a hit-and-run crash that left two other boys with life-changing injuries.

Noah Campbell, 13, and his friends were riding pedal bikes and scooters near Flitwick, Bedfordshire, when a BMW collided with them on 3 April.

Jamie Fountain pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court on Friday to causing death by careless driving while over the legal limit for alcohol and drugs.

The 24-year-old from Fir Tree Close in Flitwick also admitted two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.

Noah Campbell's family said his death had "left a hole in our lives that will remain forever".

They described him as a "fun, bright, talented" child who "cherished spending time with his friends and family".

"While football was his favourite sport—playing for many local teams—he was a gifted all-rounder who excelled in rugby, cricket, and athletics," they said.

News imageSubmitted Noah stands side-on with a golf club in his hand at a golf simulator. Skyscrapers can be seen in the distance. He wears a white T-shirt, joggers and trainers. The picture has been taken at night.Submitted
Noah's family described him as "a talented and versatile sportsman"

Fountain had been driving a blue BMW 318D along Greenfield Road at about 23:50 BST on Friday 3 April when he collided with three teenage boys.

The car briefly slowed before continuing towards Flitwick, without stopping or calling the emergency services.

Emergency services attended the scene, but Noah was pronounced dead a short time later. The two other boys were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

An inquest into Noah's death heard he died from a traumatic brain injury shortly after the crash.

Fountain's BMW, which had sustained significant damage, was found in a nearby street soon afterwards.

News imageFacebook Jamie Fountain has short cropped brown hair and is wearing black rimmed glasses, a black padded jacket and a black T-shirt. He is sitting next to Ellie Ireland, who has blonde long hair and is wearing a dark leather jacket and a black top.Facebook
Jamie Fountain pleaded guilty to several offences, while his girlfriend Ellie Ireland is due to stand trial for perverting the course of justice

Fountain is due to be sentenced on 25 September.

His girlfriend Ellie Ireland, 23, of Wingate Drive, Ampthill, pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

She is due to stand trial in September.

Detective Sergeant Shona Searle from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "Our thoughts remain firmly with the family and friends of Noah and the two other boys involved in this collision.

"Noah was just 13 years old and had his whole life ahead of him, while the other two boys will live with the physical and emotional impact of this collision for the rest of their lives.

"They continue to be supported by a specialist trained officer and we ask that all three families are given privacy at this time."

News imageRichard Knights/BBC A red Liverpool football shirt propped up on a tree.Richard Knights/BBC
A Liverpool football shirt, one of the clubs Noah loved going to see, was among the tributes at the scene

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.