Family release photo of man, 21, who suffered fatal crash injuries in Oldbury
The family of a 21-year-old who died after the car he was travelling in crashed in a Black Country street released treasured photograph of him.
A 21-year-old man who suffered fatal injuries when a car driven by a dangerous driver crashed into a lamppost has been described by his devastated family as having a “big heart”.
Kristian Danielove, originally from Bulgaria, died nine days after the incident which happened, in Newbury Road, in Oldbury, on March 20. At the wheel of the stolen blue Ford Fiesta which had the carriageway was banned driver Corey Brown, aged 20, of Lye.
Passengers Mr Danielove, known as Kris, and Matthew Westwood, were taken to the Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the aftermath. However Mr Danielove did not recover from the severe spinal cord injuries he sustained. He had also suffered broken ribs and a brain bleed.
His parents had travelled here to be by his bedside, but he sadly passed away on March 29.
Paying tribute to Kristian, his family stated: "Kris was only 20-years-old, with his whole life still ahead of him. He was full of energy, the life of any room he walked into, with a big heart and a personality nobody could ignore. He loved his family deeply, he was loved beyond words.
“To us, Kris was still our little boy and my little brother. He was a son, a brother, a grandson, a great-grandson, and someone who brought laughter, chaos, and unforgettable memories into our lives.
"He will never get the chance to celebrate future birthdays, build the family he wanted one day, get married, or experience all the milestones he deserved. Our family has lost a piece of itself that can never be replaced, and we will carry our love for him forever."
His sister Alexandra Petrova said he had left home to join her in the UK and tried to help others despite his own challenges.
“The impact has been devastating for us. Relatives have been left behind,” she added.
Det Sgt Richard Evans, of the West Midlands Serious Collison Investigation Unit said: “A young man lost his life due to dangerous and reckless driving by someone he called a friend.
“It was a tragic incident, and Brown will now pay the price for actions – spending a long stretch behind bars. I hope this sentenced sends a strong message to anyone that thinks it’s ok to drive a car dangerously – your actions could have a devastating impact.”
After the the crash banned driver Corey Brown fled the scene and left behind his badly hurt friends Kristian and Matthew Westwood, both also 20, in the wreckage.
The group had been in two pubs before going on the road where Brown drove at speeds of between 60mph-67mph before losing control of the vehicle which clipped a bollard which caused the vehicle to lose control and hit three parked vehicles on a driveway and then a lamppost.
Mr Westwood, aged 20, suffered head and neck injuries but survived.
Brown, of Albert Street, Lye, was recalled to youth detention following the crash and was sentenced for total of 10 years custody at Wolverhampton Crown Court on July 6 after admitting offences of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and having no insurance. He was also banned him from the road for six years and six months.