A young man has admitted causing the death of a “gentle giant” in a horror crash two days shy of his nineteenth birthday.

Ethan Entwistle was the passenger in Colby Hammond’s Seat Ibiza when it careered into a tree in Dumpton Park Drive near Broadstairs.

Emergency services descended on the residential street in the early hours of October 1, 2023, but he could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Now, Hammond faces jail after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of the “gentle giant” by dangerous driving at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday.

Hammond, 20 of Westwood Road, Broadstairs, was also 18 when the incident occurred near the junction with Bay View Road.

Judge Simon James granted bail until his sentencing hearing at the same court on August 28.

Ethan’s mum, Keena, previously told KentOnline how her son’s death had left family and friends devastated.

“Ethan was definitely one of a kind - they broke the mould when they made him,” she said.

“He had an amazing sense of humour and always had everyone laughing.

“All of his friends, right from infant school to college, have been sending messages saying how much he always made them smile.

“He was a gentle giant at 6ft 2ins and was scared of most things himself really, but he went out of his way to protect people.

“One of his friends from infancy said she remembered him protecting her from mean people.”

Keena launched a petition for calming measures at the “notorious" accident black spot, attracting almost 2,000 signatures.

But a report prepared for a Joint Transportation Board meeting by Kent County Council (KCC) last year revealed no further action will be taken.

There was another fatal crash in Dumpton Park Drive three years ago.

Cyclist Jacqueline McFarling, 54, died after a crash with a car at the junction with Montefiore Avenue on January 14, 2022.