Groom-to-be killed by drink-driver in 110mph Staffordshire horror …

A groom-to-be was killed just days before his wedding by a drink-driver who was on a Whatsapp call. Richard Allen died at the scene of the crash in Staffordshire after the Ford Fiesta he was driving was hit just two days before Christmas last year.

The 33-year-old, who was from Lichfield, was due to get married on New Year’s Eve – just eight days after the crash. Drink-driver Marius Mihai, from Walsall, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and has been jailed for nine years.

He was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash just after 10.20pm on December 23. The 36-year-old was travelling in a VW Passat in excess of 110mph immediately before the crash in Lichfield/.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in an earlier appearance and was sentenced to nine years and eight months behind bars at Stafford Crown Court ^[1] on Monday, November 6. He was also banned from driving for 137 months.

READ: Newcastle stalker abused ex partner’s mum during campaign of harassment Leah West, 24, bombarded her victim with calls and messages^[2]

READ: Woman spat in police officer’s mouth as ‘handcuffs were too tight’ Lucie Bailey, 38, was driven to custody by her mum who refused to take her to buy monkey dust^[3]

PC Matt Brailsford, from the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Mihai drove at a dangerous speed, whilst intoxicated and whilst using his mobile phone. If he was driving responsibly, this avoidable incident wouldn’t have happened.

“His actions have devastated the family of Richard and our thoughts are still very much with them as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss. No sentence will ever be sufficient for the family but I hope that Mihai understands that his actions have consequences, and in this case, tragic ones.

Marius Mihai admitted causing death by dangerous driving and has been jailed for nine years (Image: staffordshire police)

“Speed, alcohol and mobile phone use are three of the four main reasons for fatal collisions. I would implore people to ensure they drive safely and responsibly so that families like that of Mr Allen do not have their lives destroyed.”

A Staffordshire Police ^[4] spokesman added: “The driver of the Fiesta, Richard Allen from Lichfield, who was 33 at the time, sadly died at the scene. He was due to get married on New Year’s Eve. Mihai was arrested in connection with the incident and questioned in custody.

“Specialist officers analysed CCTV footage and found that he was driving on the A5 in excess of 110mph immediately before the collision happened. Mihai was also under the influence of alcohol and engaged in a video WhatsApp call at the point of the collision.”

References

^{^} Stafford Crown Court (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Newcastle stalker abused ex partner’s mum during campaign of harassment (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Woman spat in police officer’s mouth as ‘handcuffs were too tight’ (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Staffordshire Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE (data.reachplc.com)