Cannabis driver jailed over fatal head-on smash
A CANNABIS addict who lost control of his car and killed a motorist in a head-on collision has been jailed for six years.
Karl Roberts, 24, veered on to the wrong side of the road and smashed into a car, killing its 52-year-old driver Victor Watkins.
The crash in Hemsworth, North Yorkshire, also inflicted life-changing brain injuries on two passengers in Roberts’ car – who had to be cut out of the wreckage and were left in comas. Leeds Crown Court heard that Roberts began smoking cannabis at the age of 15 and became dependent on the Class B drug, spending £25 a day on the superstrong skunk variety.
He had been caught in possession of the drug while sitting in his car a few months before the crash and had received a police warning for ‘showing off’ and driving at inappropriate speeds.
Michael Morley, prosecuting, said Roberts lost control of his Ford Focus on a bend in wet conditions as he was driving his three friends back from Hemsworth Water Park in June 2016. His car rolled on top of Mr Watkins’ Peugeot – killing him at the scene.
A victim statement from his brother Richard said: ‘I have struggled with my grief and have struggled between being very upset and very angry.’ Mr Watkins said he would never be able to forgive Roberts for causing his brother’s death.
He added: ‘ My brother did not deserve to die. I feel like my past and my future have been taken from me.’
Roberts’ passengers, Nathan Kirby, 24, and Jake Cooper, 25, needed life- saving surgery after suffering multiple injuries including broken ribs and pelvic fractures.
Both suffered permanent brain injuries and will never be able to work again. The third passenger, Daniel Davies, suffered minor injuries.
Mr Kirby’s father, Andrew, described how his son had been a promising rugby player
‘He doesn’t have a future now’
before the incident saying: ‘Nathan will never be able to work and never be able to live alone. He doesn’t have a future now. He should have been able to have kids, a life and a career. He doesn’t even comprehend how bad his injuries are.’
Cannabis was found in the car and a blood sample taken from Roberts after the crash showed he had been taking the drug.
Roberts, of South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when driving over the prescribed limit and said he was ‘deeply sorry’.
Jailing Roberts, Judge Tom Bayliss QC, said: ‘I can see that you bitterly regret the outcome.
‘But you chose to drive that car. It was your choice.’