Moment young Audi driver ploughs into talented footballer who was once capped for England schoolboys - as killer motorist is jailed
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This is the shocking moment an Audi driver hurtled down a 30mph road at '110mph' before tragically ploughing into a talented young footballer. Jailed Mason Hodgson, now 23, drove 'like an idiot' which caused his powerful motor to hit Sam Harding, 20, and kill him during an unauthorised car meet in April 2022.
![[Mason Hodgson, now 23, drove 'like an idiot' before his powerful motor hit Sam Harding, 20, and killed him during an unauthorised car meet in April 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/18/93327919-14211321-image-a-23_1734633908455.jpg)
Sam had been due to sign a contract with Northern Premier League side Warrington Town the week after his death and was once capped for the England schoolboys squad. In footage of the collision, the car's front lights are blaring as it flies down Kingsland Grange in the Woolston area of Warrington, Cheshire.
![[Sam (pictured) was due sign a contract with Northern Premier League side Warrington Town the week after his death]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/19/93327933-14211321-image-m-1_1734634914600.jpg)
The vehicle passes a number of pedestrians on its way walking down the pavement, completely unaware of what is about to happen. Witnesses told Liverpool Crown Court Hodgson's speedometer had reached 100mph on the circuit and they saw Sam's body flung through the air after the impact.
![[The court heard a passenger in Hodgson's car said he'd earlier 'drove like a d*ck' on the motorway, clocking up speeds of 110mph and weaving in and out of lanes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/18/93327931-14211321-image-a-27_1734633941252.jpg)
Hodgson, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, was today jailed for eight years after previously pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Cheshire Police had found Sam on their arrival to the scene who was rushed to hospital where he tragically died despite the best efforts of medics.
![[Cheshire Police said officers were called to reports of a collision between a car and a pedestrian on Kingsland Grange in the Woolston area of Warrington on April 10]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/18/93327921-14211321-image-a-26_1734633937039.jpg)
Witnesses told Liverpool Crown Court Hodgson's speedometer had reached 100mph on the circuit. Mason Hodgson, now 23, drove 'like an idiot' before his powerful motor hit Sam Harding, 20, and killed him during an unauthorised car meet in April 2022. Sam's father Colin Harding has since paid an emotional tribute to his young son describing him as a 'superstar' and saying 'from the moment he could walk all he wanted to do was play football'.
