A motorist has been jailed for killing his friend after driving at 76mph through a built-up residential area before flipping his car. David Barker, 27, crashed his Skoda Octavia on Wolstanton High Street in Staffordshire after swerving to avoid a taxi. His rear-seat passenger, Steven Field, 40, was thrown through an open sunroof and suffered a severe skull fracture and traumatic brain injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details of the Incident
The fatal crash occurred in the early hours of June 15. Barker had been out with Steven and another man at pubs before returning to the car at around 1:57am. CCTV footage showed Barker driving at excessive speed through May Bank lights and onto Wolstanton High Street. He lost control, hit a lamppost, and rolled the vehicle, which came to a stop 84 metres from where it left the road. Barker fled the scene but handed himself in three hours later. A breath test five hours after the incident showed 17 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, well below the legal limit of 80.
Court Proceedings
Barker, of Horton Drive, Weston Coyney, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. The court heard that Barker was driving at 76mph in a 30mph zone. He swerved to avoid a taxi pulling out from a side road, causing the car to flip. Steven Field was thrown from the sunroof and died almost immediately. Barker's barrister, Nick Tatlow, said Barker was genuinely remorseful and had no previous convictions. He noted that Barker considered taking his own life after the crash but instead went to the police to face the consequences.
Sentencing
Judge Graeme Smith described the events as a tragedy, noting that Steven was a good friend of Barker, who is also living with the effects of what happened. Barker was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison and must serve two-thirds before being released on licence. He was also disqualified from driving for nine years and ten months and must pass an extended retest before driving again.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.
