New driver jailed after friend dies in crash
A TEENAGER caused the death of his 17-year-old passenger when he lost control trying to negotiate a bend on a road.
George Robinson (18), of Naseby Road, Clipston, had just passed his test and was driving too fast when he crashed into a fence, causing the death of Jason Eaton.
Northampton Crown Court heard on Friday last week that Robinson was at the wheel of a Toyota Corrolla on the B4036 near West Haddon when he failed to brake and crashed at 73mph on October 5, 2010.
Jason, from Crick, who was a front-seat passenger, was airlifted to hospital but died.
Johnathan Spicer, prosecuting, said the friends set off from Long Buckby in convoy with a VW Golf, with Robinson’s Toyota ahead. As they approached the bend, which has a 60mph limit, he failed to slow down, lost control and careered off the road.
Mr Spicer said: “The massive impact crushed the roof and tore off the windscreen. The accident investigator concluded the cause was speed too fast for the bend and the inexperience of the driver.”
Thirty metres of wooden fencing was damaged and the car split a tree in two. Mr Spicer said the speedometer stuck 73mph and an officer later drove the bend and concluded it was still too dangerous to drive at 60mph.
Robinson admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to 18 months’ detention and banned from driving for two years. Judge Rupert Mayo said it should act as a warning to all young drivers.
Adam Wiseman, mitigating, said: “He says there is not a single day that passes that he does not reflect on this.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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