Man jailed for dangerous driving after fatal crash in Crewe
Joshua Spender's killer fled the scene after knocking him over
A man's been sentenced after his dangerous driving killed a 23-year-old man in Crewe.
William Bratton was travelling along Macon Way in a white van when he hit Joshua Spender.
The 30-year-old, of Market Drayton, then failed to stop and instead fled the scene leaving Joshua, who was 23 at the time, injured in the road.
Joshua, from Crewe, was taken to hospital and passed away a short time later.
Bratton today appeared at Chester Crown Court and was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving. He has also been banned from driving for ten years which will begin when he is released from prison.
Sergeant Simon Degg, of Cheshire Constabulary’s serious and complex collision investigation unit, said: “This was an incredibly tragic collision that led to a young man losing his life.
“Bratton made no attempt to slow down, or stop, both before, during or after the collision but the fact he should never have been driving in the first place makes this even more heart breaking. His actions led to him killing Joshua and that’s something he must live with every day.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Joshua’s family and friends who have been left devastated by what happened that day.”
Following the sentencing Joshua’s family said: “On the 5 November 2021 our lives were changed forever, we have all been left broken, utterly devastated by the sudden and avoidable loss of our wonderful son, grandson, brother and friend to many.
“We have all been left with such an overwhelming sadness and such helplessness. Six months since our world was ripped apart and we have no idea how we are going to cope with the huge void that Joshs’ death has left within our lives.
“We have all changed as a family, our lives have been a blur since that fateful day and we are not the same people, we just exist and cannot believe we will never see or hear him again.
“No sentence given by the judge today will ever be enough and it will never bring back our beloved Josh who was so cruelly taken away far too soon and in such devastating circumstances.
“As a united family we would like to thank our family, friends, work colleagues, Leighton Hospital, County Insurance, the CPS and the amazing efforts of the police for securing this conviction today.”