The dad of a County Durham teenager tragically killed in an unroadworthy car three years ago has paid an emotional tribute to his son - and vowed to close the loophole in the law that led to his death.
John Rowlands, of Consett, lost his son Andrew on Father's Day three years ago. The 18-year-old was thrown from a dangerous vehicle in Stanley, County Durham.
The car did not have an MOT and had been bought for a mere £100 the day previously.
The 4x4 was driven by the then 17-year-old Dylan Brunton, who fled the scene along with the two other passengers following the crash.
Brunton, of Dene View, East Stanley, is currently serving a 32-month prison sentence in a young offenders’ institute.
Read more: Family of Consett teen killed in crash seek tougher car sale laws
Today, John has said he is campaigning for the laws on unroadworthy cars to be changed so that "no family ever gets dealt the same card as I did three years ago today".
In a tribute, John said: "A not-so-happy Father's Day. I hope and pray that no family ever gets dealt the same card as I did three years ago today.
A not so Happy Fathers Day 💔I hope & pray 🙏 that no family ever gets dealt the same card as I did 3 years ago today. I’m not only a grieving father, but a disappointed one too. Let’s hope the DFT/Govt recognise the long overdue amendments necessary to the current outdated #V5C.
— #stopcommunitycars (@stopillegalcars) June 18, 2023
"I am not only a grieving father but a disappointed one too. Let's hope that the Department for Transport and the Government recognise the long overdue amendments necessary to the current outdated V5C.
"Currently, laws do not require people to verify someone's ID or even a driving licence when purchasing a car.
"When a new statute is introduced, this will help to stop unlicenced, inexperienced, banned and underage people from providing false details to purchase a vehicle as easily as they did on the day Andrew, my son, was cruelly robbed of his life at just 18 years old.
"Three years have passed and still you can purchase a car without any verification of who you are. Imagine how many people have had their lives taken or been seriously injured from the same thing over the last three years.
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"This is a wicked, cruel, and irresponsible loophole that needs closing immediately on the V5C.
"Rest in peace my beautiful son Andrew. If there is one thing I can do to help save another life, I'll do it, and it starts right here with this problem."
John and his wife Karen have been campaigning to get the law changed in the wake of Andrew's death.
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