Maidenhead fatal crash: Family pay tribute to boy killed by ‘dangerous driver’ days before Christmas

‘From one parent to all you parents out there, go home and hug your children,' says teenager's mother

Max Simmons, 13, died after he was hit by an Audi sports car in Maidenhead, Berkshire, on 21 December, 2019. (Thames Valley Police/family handout)

A family has paid tribute to a 13-year-old boy who was knocked down and killed just days before Christmas.

Max Simmons was hit by an Audi TT as he walking along a street in Maidenhead, Berkshire, on Saturday afternoon.

He was rushed to John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, but sadly later died of his injuries.

Paying tribute to the teenager, Max’s mother urged other parents to “go home and hug your children”.

In a joint statement issued the teenager's brother, she said: “My son and I would like to issue this tribute to my 13-year old son Max Simmons, who was tragically killed in a car crash.

“Thank you for all the kind messages that have come through. It means a lot to know how much other people loved him. I always taught my kids to be street smart but brave and independent.

“Whilst I have the chance I’d like to thank all the doctors and nurses and staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital; it’s people like them that keep the NHS alive, and they worked as hard as they could to save my boy.

“From one parent to all you parents out there, go home and hug your children.

“Just be there with them, hug them, tell them how much you love them, because Christmas presents are just stuff, love is free. Just love each other.”

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Thames Valley Police following the fatal collision.

James Lavine, of Boundary Road, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving on Sunday.

He is due to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

In a seperate incident, an Audi ploughed into a group of six pedestrians in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after one man suffered serious injuries and five others were taken to hospital for treatment.