Man jailed for six years following fatal collision near Gainsborough
He had cannabis in his system before the crash
A man who had cannabis in his system before a fatal collision near Gainsborough has been jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Lincoln Crown Court.
The court heard 20-year-old Aiden Lee of Whitcrofts Lane, Ulverscroft, Markfield, Leicestershire had been driving at 90mph along Pilham lane towards Corringham before the incident. That was 40mph above the limit for his class of vehicle.
He collided with a Mini Cooper driven by 57-year-old Stephen Sowerby from Scunthorpe who died from his injuries.
The incident happened just before 3.14pm on March 1st 2023.
The investigation revealed that had Lee been travelling at 50mph, it would have been theoretically possible for him to bring the Ford Transit to a full stop and avoid the collision
Mr Sowerby's family said after the sentencing today:
“No sentence given will reflect the loss of Steve, a devoted family man and a respected work colleague.
“Words cannot sum up the devastation and grief caused by the selfish actions of another.
“Steve did not deserve to have his life so needlessly taken away, he deserved to live.
“The family would like to thank all members of Lincolnshire Police involved in the investigation for their work in bringing justice for Steve, and to those who have offered support over the past year.”
Stephen Sowerby had been driving on Mill Mere Road travelling from Corringham and was turning right towards Pilham.
Aidan Lee, of Whitcrofts Lane, Ulverscroft, Markfield, Leicestershire was driving along Pilham Lane towards Corringham. He was driving a white Ford Transit van with a passenger, a man in his 20s. They did not suffer any serious injuries.
Following a roadside drug test and a further analysis of a blood sample provided, it was found Aiden Lee he had cannabis in his system which was over the legal limit for driving.
He told Interviewing Officers he had smoked three to four joints of cannabis some 72 hours prior to the collision and had not used cannabis since that time.
His mobile phone showed he had been sending messages while he was driving too.
Detective Sergeant Emma Ward, Lead Investigating Officer, Lincolnshire Police, said: “The speeds driven by Aiden Lee were excessive and dangerous. This was a country road and there is no excuse for driving so fast; there never is an excuse for speeding.
“His driving was impaired through cannabis use and the use of his mobile phone, all of which are well documented to change how a driver reacts to events on the road.
“These three things, driving at excessive speed, driving following drug use and also using his mobile phone are irresponsible decisions made by the driver Lee and has resulted in the death of a loved and respected 57-year-old man.
“Our thoughts are with his family.”
Lee was sentenced to six year in prison and disqualified for five years on his release; he must pass an extended retest.