Drug driver jailed after causing fatal collision on A689 in Brampton
Paul Murray from Brampton was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court
Last updated 20th Jan 2024
A man who was driving under the influence of drugs when he caused a fatal collision in Brampton has been jailed.
Paul Murray, who is from Carricks Yard in Brampton, received a prison sentence of 80 months on Friday (January 19th) after pleading guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
As a result, the 47-year-old will remain in jail until September of 2030, as he received the sentence of six years and eight months.
Murray had been driving a blue BMW on the A689 the evening of Friday, October 8th 2021 when the car crashed with a white Ford transit van.
22-year-old Joshua Robertson, who was a passenger in the van, died as a result of injuries sustained by the collision.
After responders arrived at the scene to assess the damage, a drug test was carried out on both drivers, where it was discovered that Murray had been under the influence of drugs.
Officers inspecting the driver also found a box of diazepam tablets - a known relaxant to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures - down his trousers.
Following the assessment, officers took blood samples from Murray, where it was confirmed that he was over the limit for his use of the drug.
Eyewitness reports revealed that many people believed he was drunk due to his "swerving on the road", with other witnesses describing his driving as "erratic and dangerous".
Speaking to police following the crash, Murray admitted that he had taken diazepam that had not been prescribed to him and he was in the midst of a "black out", which left gaps in his memory - including the collision itself.
As well as the prison sentence, the Brampton man has been banned from driving for 100 months, meaning he will be unable to drive until May 2032.
Police Constable Claire Whatman of Cumbria Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said that justice has been served, but paid tribute to the fatality of the "totally avoidable tragedy".
“The investigation into the collision showed beyond doubt that responsibility for the collision lay entirely with Paul Murray, who chose to get behind the wheel whilst intoxicated, and then drove in a dangerous and erratic manner which resulted in the fatal collision that October evening,” she added.
The force have committed to clamping down on drug driving, encouraging those who may have suspicions of someone who is driving under the influence to get in touch.