Man who killed grandad-of-24 in crash while 39-times over drug …
A man 39-times over the drug drive limit when he sped into a crash that killed a 50-year-old grandad-of-24 has been jailed. Martin Cunliffe, 37, was speeding and had taken MDMA when his red Fiat 500 collided with Gerry Smith's van, killing the dad-of-seven from Middlewich.
Cunliffe, of Barnton, had been speeding at up to 54 mph along the 30 mph School Road in Warmingham when he struck the van at a rate of no less than 39 mph. Blood analysis taken from Cunliffe revealed he was under the influence of MDMA (Ecstasy) at the time of the collision; with a level of 392 microgram of MDMA per litre of blood – 39 times over the drug drive limit.
Mr Smith was pronounced dead at the scene while Cunliffe was taken to hospital after the crash around 11am on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Several witnesses told police Cunliffe had been travelling well above the 30mph limit, with one also stating that he had overtaken them at speed.
CCTV footage showed Cunliffe speeding down the road, while data from the Fiat car itself showed Culiffe had been travelling at up to 54 mph down School Lane ahead of the collision. Cunliffe was charged with causing death by driving without due care and attention whilst over the specified controlled drug limit.
He was found guilty after a four-day trial at Chester Crown Court[2], and on Friday, July 14, Cunliffe was sentenced to 5 years in prison. He was also banned from driving for seven years.
Following the sentencing, PC Liz Thompson, of the Cheshire Constabulary Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This case demonstrates the repercussions of driving under the influence of illegal drugs and driving in excess of the speed limit and without care and attention.
“On the morning of the collision Cunliffe took the decision to get behind the wheel, despite the fact that he knew he was under the influence of MDMA. As a result of that decision, a man has lost his life and Cunliffe is now facing the consequences of his actions.
“My thoughts at this time remain with Mr Smith’s family and while nothing will ever bring him back, I hope that the conclusion of the case and the guilty verdict will provide them with some closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.”
Mr Smith’s family paid tribute to him: "We are absolutely devastated by the sudden avoidable loss of our beloved Gerry and put our lives have fallen apart since his death.
“Gerry was a much loved family man, he leaves behind his loving wife, seven children and 24 grandchildren, four of whom will never have the opportunity to meet their loving grandad. He was the life and soul of the party, a man with a big heart and will always be missed by all his family and friends.”
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References
- ^ Major concerns raised over plans for new rooftop venue on Chester multi-storey car park (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Chester Crown Court (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
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