The family of a man killed by a speeding driver in Sunderland has told the offender he is an "arrogant" "killer" as he was jailed for seven and a half years.
James Waddell, 21, of King Edward Road, Sunderland, was driving a Subaru Forester at more than 70mph on a 30mph road when he crashed into a VW Tiguan driven by Paul Andrew Fulcher, known as Andrew, on the A690 on April 14, 2025.
Andrew, 53, had pulled out of a junction but stopped when he saw the speed of the Subaru. Waddell, who had overtaken another car and reached 72mph, crashed into him.
Victim died after 11 days in hospital
Andrew was rushed to hospital and placed on a ventilator. He fought for his life for 11 days before passing away.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Waddell initially denied knowing the brakes were faulty. He later admitted he had been switching from automatic to manual to use the gears to brake rather than applying the brakes themselves.
On Friday, Waddell was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving, which he admitted. Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to seven years and six months in prison and banned him from driving for a total of 11 years.
Family statements read to court
During the sentencing hearing, victim impact statements were read by members of Andrew's family, with several directing comments towards the defendant.
Andrew's wife, Tracey, told the court: "He was my everything - my husband, my life, my best friend. He was my support as I suffered from mental health issues. He would help me and life my by taking me out. He was my rock."
She said they cared for their disabled grandson and had planned to take him on holiday, with the van they intended to use, delivered two days before the crash, still parked on the drive.
She told Waddell: "You didn't just steal him from me but also his children and grandchildren. The day you stole him you stole our future plans. One of them being able to take our severely disabled grandson away."
She said he was driving "on a racecourse" and crashed into her husband so badly that he never stood a chance of coming home. She added: "Our family have been given a life sentence of pain and sorrow".
Waddell's social media post and apology
The court heard that Waddell had posted on social media about his ability to walk out of the crash on the day it took place.
One of Andrew's children said: "My dad's death was horrible and traumatising. Nothing could every prepare you to see something so violent." She told Waddell he was an "arrogant 21-year-old boy" and a "killer".
Another of his children told Waddell he didn't just take one person that day, he took many, adding: "Everyday when our children ask if they're going to see their grandad we have to hold it together. We had so much more time and memories left. We should have had dad another 30 years at least 30 years you have robbed from us. You have caused this and, hand on heart, hope you live a very long life of guilty just so you can feel the pain our family have gone through."
In a third statement, another daughter told the court her dad's death had mentally and physically ruined her, describing how her daughter broke down in tears when told Andrew had died.
Andrew's mother told the court: "I miss my son Andrew so much. My heart aches everyday for him."
Judge Gittins told Waddell that his selfish and arrogant decision to "drive like a maniac" that day had cost a man his life when he had years left to enjoy with his family, saying: "You have left a painful void in the family's lives that clearly can't be filled."
Harriett Snookes, defending Waddell, told the court he was "traumatised" by what had happened, saying: "Mr Waddell's decision to get in the car that day is something he will have to contemplate for the rest of his life. I asked him earlier what it is he wanted me to say on his behalf and he simply said 'I'm very, very sorry'."
