Death crash driver jailed

A drink driver who caused the fatal crash in Staffordshire that killed his friend has been jailed for six years.

Father-of-two Jason Evans died almost instantly when he was flung out of Daniel Baker's powerful Seat Ibiza as it rolled down a bank in Heath Hayes after Baker lost control while driving at "excessive speed."

The accident in Hayes Way followed a pub crawl to mark Mr Evans' forthcoming 27th birthday.

A breath test showed Baker had drunk twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Just two days before the crash Baker had fraudulently taken out insurance by failing to disclose he had a previous excess alcohol conviction, Stafford Crown Court yesterday heard..

Baker, aged 26, of Hussey Road, Walsall, admitted causing the death of Mr Evans, of Burntwood, by careless driving having drunk excess alcohol, fraud and having no insurance.

Judge Simon Tonking told him: "Jason's death was completely needless – it would not have happened if you had been driving carefully and you had been sober." He banned Baker from driving for six years.

Mr Hugh O'Brien-Quinn, prosecuting, told the court the crash happened on March 9 after the friends' pub crawl in which Baker had a number of drinks.

In Hayes Way, passenger Michael Morley urged Baker to slow down, but he took no notice. Seconds later, he failed to negotiate a right hand bend and lost control. The Ibiza hit a metal barrier, and rolled down an embankment, the court heard.

Mr Evans, who was in the rear and not wearing a seat belt, was thrown out through the rear window. Mr Morley suffered three cracked ribs.

A breath test showed Baker had 82 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35. He told police he was driving at 40 to 45mph and had drunk four pints and some shorts.

Mr Neil Gerrity, defending, said Baker did not know Mr Evans had no seat belt.