Man jailed after fatal crash near Nantwich which killed dad

Mark Taylor had been drinking at a pub before getting into his car

Author: Dan DaviesPublished 17th May 2022

A man who killed a dad and seriously injured a daughter following a crash near Nantwich has been jailed for 12 years.

Mark Taylor, of Railway Street, Crewe appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 16 May and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

The 39-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while driving with no insurance and no licence.

The court heard how on Thursday 24 February Taylor had been drinking at a pub on Pillory Street in Nantwich before getting his red Honda Accord just after 8.30pm.

A man had attempted to pull Taylor out of the vehicle to prevent him from driving, but he pushed the man away and slammed the door shut, before driving off.

Just before 8.40pm, Taylor was driving along Newcastle Road in Blakelow, near to the junction with Haywood Green Road, when the car veered over central line and collided head on with a silver Nissan Pixo N-Tec.

It then collided into the side of a Grey Land Rover Discovery.

Sadly, despite all efforts of those involved, the driver of the Nissan Pixo, a 59-year-old man from Oakmere, died in hospital.

His daughter, who was the passenger in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries.

Taylor was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged in connection with the incident.

Inspector Steve Griffiths from Cheshire Police said: “This is a heartbreaking case which has left a family with a huge hole in their lives all down to Taylor’s selfish actions that evening.

“He made a decision that night that changed the lives of so many people, including his own.

“I would like to pass on my gratitude to the courts for handing down this sentence on Taylor and I hope that in some small way, this gives the family some comfort knowing justice has been served.

“The thoughts of myself and our team remain with the family of victims.”

Hear the latest news from across Staffordshire and Cheshire on the hour, every hour, on 102.6FM, 96.9FM & 96.4FM. You can also listen on DAB, smart speaker, at signal1.co.uk and on the Signal 1 app