Man jailed for causing the death of a man in Wolverhampton hit-and-run

A man’s been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving, after a man died following a collision in Wolverhampton last year.

Ryan Griffiths, who was 29, was on Burleigh Road on 21 August 2024, when he was hit by a dark coloured VW Golf at around 9pm.

The vehicle did not remain at the scene.

He was taken to hospital but tragically, due to the extent of injuries, died two days later.

Officers had been carrying out immediate enquiries, and their investigation led them to believe Aden Wright, the registered keeper of the vehicle, was driving the Golf at the time.

Following thorough investigative work, the car was recovered and forensically examined. 

A manhunt was launched for Wright, and he was arrested within a week.

Our investigation found Wright was linked to purchasing drugs, which is why he was in the area that night. 

Detectives found he tried to use other people within the vehicle to buy the drugs on his behalf using fraudulent money, and when the money was found to be fake by someone else at the scene - Wright drove away at speed.

He collided with Ryan and then stopped to collect a passenger. Despite seeing Ryan lying motionless in the road, he left the scene. 

What followed was a series of calculated actions by Wright to try and get away with his crime.

He enlisted the help of others to take the vehicle off the road the following day, changed the ownership into someone else's name, and then tried to get family members to help frame that person as the driver. 

Despite our strong evidence proving he was the driver at the time, Wright insisted that it was the other person who was behind the wheel. 

Wright, of Griffiths Drive, was originally charged with murder however, following deliberations by the Crown Prosecution Service, this charge was reduced to death by dangerous driving and in October, the 27-year-old was found guilty following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Yesterday (4 Dec), he was jailed for 14 years and disqualified from driving.

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.”