Man caused death of best friend after crashing car into tree at almost …

A man caused the death of his best friend after crashing a car into a tree at almost 100mph. Simon Jones, of Crispin Lane in Wrexham^[1], was jailed for five years at Mold Crown Court^[2] after admitting causing the death of 22-year-old friend Jack Daniel Elden Chahal by dangerous driving.

Prosecutor David Mainstone told the judge how Jones, 28, was driving a silver BMW along the A548 in Gronant on April 17 last year. A passing motorist saw the vehicle speeding along the dark road at about 4.30am before it swerved on the carriageway and careered off the road, landing on a grass embankment and smashing into a tree^[3].

The court heard that an expert determined through CCTV that the defendant must have been driving in the region of 96mph - almost twice the speed limit - in the area. It was also disclosed in court that the vehicle's rear brakes were "worn through to metal" and deemed a serious defect that "may have affected the vehicle's stopping distance".

The defendant - who has never held a full driving licence - was hospitalised with "serious injuries" that included a fractured neck and back. Mr Chahal sadly died at Glan Clwyd Hospital hours after the crash^[5] due to his injuries.

Mr Mainstone said that a sample of blood was taken from Jones - due to suspicions that he had been drinking before driving that night - whilst he was unconscious in hospital. He later refused permission for it to be tested.

A tribute issued after Mr Chahal's death described him as a "caring, funny and beautiful soul with an infectious smile" who was fiercely protective of his family. His sisters echoed this sentiment in court on Friday, saying that their big brother was a "best friend" and role model.^[6]

The court heard a statement read out on behalf of Mr Chahal’s mum in which she said that "half of me died that day along with Jack". She said she was still "very much in denial" about Jack being gone, telling the court that she still calls his phone in the hope of an answer.

Simon Rogers, defending, said his client “will forever carry the burden of killing his best friend" and knows this guilt will not ease over time. The former builder accepted that prison was going to be the only option and asked that the sentence be fair.

Judge Niclas Parry sent Jones to prison for five years and also banned him from driving for six-and-a-half years. The 28-year-old must pass an extended re-test before getting back behind the wheel again.

Judge Parry told the defendant: “It was almost inevitable that your attitude towards the rules of the road - that they apply to others and not you - would end up badly. This was so avoidable, so unnecessary and such a waste of a young life."

References

1. ^{^} Wrexham (www.dailypost.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Mold Crown Court (www.dailypost.co.uk)
3. ^{^} it swerved on the carriageway and careered off the road, landing on a grass embankment and smashing into a tree (www.dailypost.co.uk)
4. ^{^} North Wales cop sacked after crashing unmarked police car on journey from vets (www.dailypost.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Mr Chahal sadly died at Glan Clwyd Hospital hours after the crash (www.dailypost.co.uk)
6. ^{^} A tribute issued after Mr Chahal's death (www.dailypost.co.uk)