Face of man jailed after 29-year-old killed in Wolverhampton hit-and-run
A man has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving following a hit-and-run incident in Wolverhampton last year.
Ryan Griffiths was struck by a dark-coloured VW Golf on Burleigh Road at around 9pm on August 21, 2024.
The 29-year-old was taken to hospital but, tragically, died two days later from his injuries.
The driver did not remain at the scene. However, a West Midlands Police investigation established that the registered keeper of the vehicle, Aden Wright, had been behind the wheel at the time of the collision.
Police later recovered and forensically examined the Golf, launching a manhunt for Wright. He was arrested a week after the incident.
According to West Midlands Police, Wright had been in the area that night to purchase drugs. Detectives found he attempted to use others in the vehicle to buy the drugs on his behalf with fraudulent money.
When the money was identified as fake, Wright sped away, colliding with Ryan before fleeing the scene.
Reports indicate that Wright stopped shortly afterwards to pick up a passenger, then carried out a series of calculated actions to cover his tracks. He enlisted others to help remove the vehicle from the road the following day, transferred its ownership into another person’s name, and attempted to persuade family members to implicate that individual as the driver, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
However, police say they had strong evidence proving Wright was behind the wheel during the crash.
Wright, of Griffiths Drive, was initially charged with murder. After deliberations by the Crown Prosecution Service, the charge was reduced to death by dangerous driving. In October, the 27-year-old was found guilty following a trial.
He was jailed for 14 years and disqualified from driving yesterday (December 4).
Detective Sergeant Jeanette Roberts said: “Securing justice for Ryan and his family has been at the forefront of our minds throughout this investigation.
“Wright’s callous actions that night, including failing to stop at the scene or admit to what he did, have put them through unimaginable pain. A thorough investigation meant that he was brought to justice and will serve a considerable amount of time in prison.”
Ryan’s family have been supported by specialist officers throughout this tragic time, and paid tribute to him following his death, saying: “Ryan was a loving and devoted son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew and cousin.
“He had a heart of gold and a lot of loving friends. Everyone is devastated by his sad loss and he will be sadly missed.”
