17-Year-Old Pleads Guilty to Fatal Staffordshire Hit-and-Run as Sentencing Set for February 25

Overview

• Alex Woodward, 17, was hit by a black BMW 1 Series on Dawlish Drive in Bentilee on October 17 and died the following morning.
• The youth pleaded guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving and to failing to stop, failing to report, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without insurance.
• Police said the BMW was overtaking at excessive speed when it struck Alex as the driver was subject to a driving ban.
• Two days after the collision, the teenager handed himself in and told officers he did not know the speed limit on the road.
• He has been remanded in custody, with sentencing scheduled for February 25, 2026, as Staffordshire Police voiced support for Alex’s family and vowed robust action on high-harm offences.