Friends pleaded with driver to slow down before teen killed in horror crash

Passengers pleaded with the driver of a Ford Fiesta to slow down before he swerved off the road, hit a tree and killed a teenager. It was heard on Friday, September 20, at Chester Crown Court how Finley Wood left the White Lion pub in Ash Magna with four of his friends on Sunday, April 9, 2023 before travelling 10 miles to the Nantwich Jazz Festival.

While driving the group to the event, passengers told police officers Wood reached speeds over 90mph and repeatedly told the 21-year-old to slow down. During the journey, as the car made its way down the A525, Wood's Fiesta approached Combermere Abbey where there are a series of bends in the road. The car crossed a solid white line in the middle of the road as it crossed onto the other side of the carriageway and had a near miss with a car travelling in the opposite direction.

Wood lost control of the car as it continued around the bend before leaving the road and hitting a tree. Felix Davies, 19, who had been in the front passenger seat, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene. The three passengers in the back of the car all suffered serious injuries in the crash and were rushed to hospital.

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One suffered a broken sternum and spinal injuries, another suffered a dislocated hip, a chipped his femur, four broken ribs, a bruised liver, and a broken orbital socket along with his nose and cheekbone and the third passenger was left with a broken leg and facial injuries.

Wood suffered minor injuries in the crash and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. A roadside drug and alcohol test found that he was not under the influence of any substances before being taken to hospital. Wood pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Finley Wood, 21, of New Woodhouses, Whitchurch, was jailed for ten years and six months with a five year driving ban.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, said: "When Finley’s friends got into that Ford Fiesta on the evening of Sunday 9 April, they were looking forward to an evening of bank holiday festivities at the Nantwich Jazz Festival - they were not to know the serious, and in Felix's case fatal, injuries they would sustain a short time later as a direct result of Finley Wood's dangerous driving.

"When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you need to be aware that driving is a privilege, not a right, and nothing justifies not paying full attention to the road or abusing its laws. I understand that, while Wood is now behind bars for this offence, nothing is going to bring Felix back, and our thoughts continue to remain with his family and friends.

"This collision could easily have been avoided, so if any good can come from this tragic event, I hope it reminds people of the sudden devastating consequences of taking risks when driving."