Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Family ‘ripped apart’ by A2 death
A grieving family say they have been “ripped apart” by the death of a 20-year-old killed in a car crash on the A2.
Leon Darling was driving along the dual-carriageway with his cousin when the blue Transit van collided with the nearside barrier at about 10pm last Wednesday.
The vehicle rolled on to the M25 sliproad at Dartford, leaving Leon fatally injured.
Ambulance crews raced to the scene but Leon could not be revived.
His cousin, who was in the passenger seat, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Earlier the same day, Leon had been speaking to his elder brother, Sam, who says he was in good spirits and laughing.
But Sam grew concerned when he was unable to reach Leon by phone.
The heartbroken 29-year-old said: “He was one in a million, had a heart of gold and was an amazing person.
“Three or four times a day since it happened, I think he is going to walk through the door and hear his laughter again but there is just silence.
“He was always laughing. We used to speak to each other every day.
“My brother was the love of my life and I can’t believe he is gone. He is the first thing I think of when I wake up. I have been ripped apart.”
Leon grew up in the travelling community in Aylesham, Dover and most recently Sturry.
One of six children, he was particularly close to Sam, who he bore a striking resemblance to, and loved his grandparents, who raised him.
Leon’s sister, Billie-jo Darling, also paid tribute to him.
She wrote on Facebook: “RIP my angel. I will see you soon my baby, my rock, my world, my life, my everything. I don’t know what to do my Leon Lee, my baby brother. I love you my angel. I’ll see you soon.”
The family are now focusing on giving Leon the best send-off possible.
Police are appealing for information about the crash. Any witnesses who have yet to speak to police or have dashcam footage are asked to contact call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent. pnn.police.uk, quoting reference number RY/BG/261.