Man jailed after St Helens male died in fatal collision on the M6
The incident happened last November.
Last updated 20th Jan 2023
A speeding driver - who left a man from St Helens to die in the aftermath of a crash on the M6 - has been jailed.
John Yates was undertaking cars at 128 miles an hour through a section of roadworks in Thelwall - when he smashed into the back of a Peugeot.
The driver of that car - 41 year old Christopher Smith from St Helens - had left work early that day to go and be with his pregnant wife.
He died of his injuries.
Yates - who's 28 - pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving - and will serve 8 years and 3 months behind bars.
Following the sentencing, Sergeant Simon Degg, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said:
“Yates cowardly left the scene. Rather than staying to try to help Christopher and face the consequences of his actions, he ran off and left him to die.
“Even after he was located, he denied any involvement in the collision, and throughout questioning he declined to answer any questions and refused to provide samples of breath or blood. His parting comments to investigators was that he puts all of his trust in those investigating the collision.
“That investigation showed that Yates was travelling at 128mph when he collided unnecessarily with the rear of Christophers car.
“Christopher was a true gentleman, he had left work early that day so that he could spend time with his heavily pregnant wife. He was excited at the prospect of becoming a dad and a gentleman who was doing nothing wrong whatsoever.
“While Yates pleaded guilty, he had shown no remorse of his actions and he deserves to be behind bars for a substantial amount of time.
“Because of the actions taken by Yates that day, Christopher will never get to meet his child and be the loving father that he would have been.
“While no court result could ever make up for the loss or the pain that his family have endured, but I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide some closure.
“Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”