Dudley driver admits failing to stop in fatal collision

Ben Davies was behind the wheel of a car which hit Mr Cox, of Tipton, as he walked to a bus stop in Sedgley to meet his girlfriend on his birthday.

Mr Cox, a former Willingsworth High School student, suffered head injuries and died the following morning.

Davies, who admitted taking cocaine the day before the crash, failed to stop but handed himself in to police 13 hours later. At Dudley Magistrates Court yesterday, Davies, of Old Park Road, Dudley, pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident – a crime which carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

Mrs Sukhi Rai, prosecuting, said 25-year-old Davies had been driving along Dudley Road towards Dudley when Mr Cox was hit at 11pm on November 17.

She said the road had a 30mph limit and it appeared Mr Cox had emerged from beside a line of parked cars.

She said: "He was found on the pavement with serious head injuries and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Despite medical intervention, his injuries unfortunately proved fatal.

"Thirteen hours later, Mr Davies went to Dudley police and identified himself as the driver."

After his arrest, he again admitted his part in the accident and that he'd taken cocaine the day before but police experts were unable to say whether this would have affected his driving.

Mr Lee Preston, defending, said: "This is a dreadful incident but we're not dealing with this man for causing the death of this unfortunate young man. We're dealing with him for failing to stop."

Davies was bailed while reports are prepared for his sentencing, which will be on April 29. He was disqualified from driving pending the hearing.

After the hearing Mr Cox's uncle Shane Round, from Tipton, said:"We went to court and were told to prepare for the worst, that he could walk away with just a fine and penalty points.But now they have to go back to court and I hope to God he gets sent down."