Drink driver jailed after crash where woman died
28-year-old Daniel Crawshaw pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving
A drink driver has been jailed after a crash in West Yorkshire where a young woman died.
28-year-old Daniel Crawshaw of Bourne Walk in Staincross, Barnsley pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.
He's been sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison and will also be disqualified from driving for 2 years on his release.
Crawshaw boasted to witnesses “five and drive”, showing them his car keys, during the night out in Holmfirth and Huddersfield.
He's actually thought to have had 10 alcoholic drinks before trying to drive home with Keegan Edgall, who was 20, and Thomas Boothroyd, now 28.
At around 3.15am on Saturday, 7 March, 2020, police received a report that a car had left the road and collided with a stone wall, on Huddersfield Road at South Crosland, near Meltham.
Keegan suffered fatal injuries in the collision and Thomas sustained serious injuries from which he is still suffering.
A witness described Crawshaw getting out of the vehicle and approaching them but making no mention of the critically injured passengers in his car. When police officers arrived at the scene, Crawshaw was talking to a family member on his mobile telephone and was clearly heavily intoxicated.
Detective Constable Clare Barran, from the Major Collision Enquiry Team, said “This tragic incident was completely avoidable. Crawshaw chose to drink and drive on that night, well aware that he would have been over the limit. His arrogance and initial failure to accept his wrongdoing has extended the suffering and pain that Keegan’s family have had to endure.”
"The sentencing comes as West Yorkshire Police has been highlighting the potential consequences of driving after drinking or taking drugs as part of the annual festive #WYPTheCost awareness and enforcement campaign."
Sergeant Mick Kilburn, also from the Major Collision Enquiry Team, added: “No sentence can ever reflect the tragic loss of life in this case. It serves as a timely reminder, certainly with the festive season upon us, that alcohol and driving simply do not mix. The message from West Yorkshire Police is clear. Do not drink and drive.”