Advertisement

Callous driver left female friend to die after causing ‘horrific’ car crash

Ross Cooney left his female friend to die in a car wreck after he caused a horrific head-on crash. (SWNS)
Ross Cooney left his female friend to die in a car wreck after he caused a horrific head-on crash. (SWNS)

A driver has been jailed after he left his female friend to die in a “horrific” car crash that he caused, which also left another woman with long-term injuries.

Ross Cooney, 33, careered onto the wrong side of the road to overtake a number of cars before ploughing into a Mercedes CLK on Dunedin Road in Corby, Northamptonshire.

He managed to scramble out of the blue Ford Mondeo he was driving and fled the scene leaving his badly injured friend Kelly Meek, 45, in the back seat.

Passers-by called 999 and ambulance and police attended the scene of the crash, which took place at 10am on 10 September, 2019.

Miss Meek was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 57-year-old woman driving the blue Mercedes suffered long-term injuries.

The crash took place on Dunedin Road in Corby, Northamptonshire, in 2019. (Google)
The crash took place on Dunedin Road in Corby, Northamptonshire, in 2019. (Google)

Cooney, of Corby, was arrested hours later and charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

He has now been jailed for nine years at Northampton Crown Court after he was found guilty of the charges following a trial.

He was also banned from driving for 10 years and will have to complete an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

Detective Constable Janette Maitland, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “No sentence will ever make up for the death of Kelly Meek and the injuries caused to the driver of the Mercedes, but I am pleased that Cooney has been found guilty and sent to prison for his crimes.

Northampton Crown County court
Ross Cooney was jailed for nine years at Northampton Crown Court. (PA/Alamy)

“Not only did he drive incredibly dangerously on that day in 2019, and cause a horrific collision, but shockingly he ran away, leaving two women with serious injuries behind.

“One of them – Kelly, was supposed to be his friend, but instead of helping and getting her medical attention, he coldly left her as he fled the scene.

“Kelly’s family have shown real composure and dignity throughout this lengthy process which I commend them highly for and I hope the conclusion of this case provides them with some semblance of closure.

“I also hope this brings some type of closure to the driver of the Mercedes and helps with her recovery after this awful event.”