THE "arrogant and reckless" racing drivers involved in a horror crash which killed a Horwich-born man and his girlfriend have been jailed.

Aaron Jones and Amy Hobson were killed on the East Lancs Road in June after their Vauxhall Corsa was crashed into by one of two Audis racing each other.

Carl Wood, from Farnworth, and Steven Ward were the men driving those cars, which witnesses said were travelling at up to 70mph.

They were both jailed for nine years at Manchester Crown Court today, with Wood, aged 27, to serve another five years on licence.

Both had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Wood, of St James Street, and Steven Ward, aged 26, were racing their Audis on Sunday, June 22 at about 4.55pm on the A580.

At the same time Mr Jones, aged 19, was driving along the opposite carriageway, with Amy Hobson, aged 22, in the front passenger seat.

Mr Jones moved to turn right into Barton Road and as he began the manouevre the two Audis sped through the junction, with Ward's car crashing into the Corsa.

The Corsa was hit with such force that it was pushed down the eastbound carriageway towards Manchester.

Ward's Audi then spun and hit Wood's car, pushing it further up the road.

Mr Jones died at the scene while Miss Hobson was taken to Salford Royal Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A number of witnesses later told officers they were racing each other, in a high-speed game of cat and mouse, at speeds of up to 70mph.

Wood, of St James Street, and Ward, of South Avenue, Swinton, were arrested at the scene.

Mr Jones and Miss Hobson both worked at a McDonald's restaurant in Pendlebury, Salford.

Mr Jones was described as an “amazing young man” with a “wonderful, cheeky smile” by devastated friends at the time of the crash. 

The teenager was passionate about karate and trained with the GKR karate group for eight years — latterly teaching youngsters the martial art.

His mother, Michelle, who is also originally from Horwich and now lives in Salford, had inspired his passion as she is also a teacher.

Mr Jones' teacher and friend, Sensei Neil Thomas, aged 44, from Worsley, said at the time of his death that everyone who knew the teenager was “deeply shocked and absolutely devastated” by what had happened.

He added: "We cannot comprehend this tragedy, Aaron blossomed from a child student into an amazing young man who followed in his mum Michelle's footsteps and became an instructor teaching in Salford and Walkden.

“Aaron was everybody’s friend, little brother, big brother — he took younger students under his wing, he was a joker, an amazing friend and he always had a wonderful cheeky smile on his face."

PC Neil Pennington said: "Two young lives have been snuffed out in the blink of an eye by the arrogant, reckless stupidity of Ward and Wood.

"Such was their delight in their pathetic game of one-upmanship they were paying no attention whatsoever to other road users.

"Their dangerous driving led to them smashing into the car of two young people who were simply going out socialising.

"As a result they will now have to live with the considerable guilt of this tragic incident for the rest of their lives."