Jail for young speeding driver who killed friend in horror smash near Nottingham
A young speeding driver, who killed one of his best friends after causing a catastrophic three-car pile-up in Nottinghamshire, has been sent to prison for 12 years. Nottingham Crown Court heard how William Martin’s yellow Seat collided almost head-on with a Toyota, killing his best friend Adam Sissons and injuring himself and two other people.
The 23-year-old’s car left the road and overturned into a ditch after he had crossed to the wrong side of the road to overtake slower moving traffic. Mr Sissons, 22, was declared dead at the scene and analysis later discovered the defendant had been driving at 87mph in the 60mph limit moments before the collision.
Louise Melbourne, of Nottinghamshire Police ’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “A young man sadly lost his life and others suffered potentially life-altering injuries as a direct result of Martin’s dangerous driving that day. Our thoughts remain with his devastated family and friends and all those who were impacted by Martin’s reckless decisions and actions.
"This tragic case is a cruel reminder of the life-shattering consequences that can happen through dangerous driving, and it is crucial lessons are learned from this so that other lives aren’t lost in such circumstances. Not only will Martin now be serving time behind bars, but he has also condemned the family of one of his best friends to a life sentence without their loved one."
The collision took place on the A614 Blyth Road, in Ollerton, at around 5.30pm on 8 September 2023. Martin’s yellow Seat was travelling southbound when the 23-year-old overtook traffic and collided with the Toyota, travelling northbound, which had moved into a filter lane intending to turn right into Whitewater Lane.
Mr Sissons, who was the defendant's front seat passenger, sadly died at the scene while another of his friends in the back seat, a 23-year-old man, also suffered a fractured sternum and bruised lung. The driver and front seat passenger in the Toyota also sustained serious injuries.
The driver, a 33-year-old woman, was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre with suspected life-altering injuries including multiple fractures which required surgery.
The front seat passenger, a 19-year-old woman, had to be freed from the vehicle by the fire and rescue service and was also taken to hospital.
Her injuries again included multiple fractures which required surgery.
An eight-week-old baby was secured in his car seat in the back of the Toyota at the time of the collision. Miraculously he only sustained minor injuries, Nottinghamshire Police said and a Volkswagen Caddy Maxi, heading northbound at the time, was also involved in the collision caused by Martin.
A 65-year-old woman, who was in the front passenger seat, had to be rescued from the vehicle by the fire and rescue service. She sustained fractured ribs and a fracture to her right ankle and required surgery.
Her 66-year husband, who was driving, sustained minor injuries and was later discharged the same day.
Martin himself suffered a fracture to his leg, which required hospital admission and surgery. He was arrested at the scene and later told police that his dangerous driving at the time was due to a Porsche travelling close behind him which he was fearful of.
But data from the defendant’s and the Porsche driver's mobile phones, it was determined the Porsche was a considerable distance behind the Seat at the time of the collision. Martin, of Woodhouse Court, Mansfield Woodhouse, was subsequently charged and he went on to plead guilty to one count causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
As well as the jail terms, he was also banned from driving for 13 years. The speed he was travelling at the time of impact is not known.
Ms Melbourne said: “No sentence can make up for the harm and suffering Martin has caused, but I hope all those affected by his actions can now find some degree of closure now he has been put behind bars.
“I also hope this sad case acts as a reminder to other motorists of just how utterly devastating it can be if you choose to disobey the rules of the road and drive in a dangerous manner.”