Man speeding at 90mph on way to Nantwich Jazz Festival lost control before crash killed friend
A man who drove at speeds of up to 90mph ignored pleas to slow down before crashing into a tree and killing his friend. Three other people travelling in his car were also left seriously injured as a result of the smash.
Finley Wood, 21, lost control of his Ford Fiesta before leaving the carriageway and colliding with a tree, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Felix Davies. Wood had left the White Lion pub in Ash Magna, near Whitchurch, to drive him and his four friends, including Felix, to the Nantwich Jazz Festival.
During the ten-mile journey on Sunday, April 9, Finley's Fiesta was travelling on the A525 when it crossed onto the other side of the carriageway near Combermere Abbey almost hitting an oncoming vehicle. Wood then lost control of his vehicle as it continued around a bend and crashed into a tree.
Today (September 20), Wood was jailed for ten years and six months at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing injury by dangerous driving. Felix, who had been in the front passenger seat of the Fiesta, was sadly declared dead at the scene of the crash despite the best efforts of the emergency services in attendance.
The three rear seat passengers were all left with serious injuries and rushed to hospital. One sustained a broken sternum and spinal injuries while another suffered a dislocated hip, chipped femur, four broken ribs, bruised liver and broken orbital socket along with his nose and cheekbone. The third passenger was left with a broken leg and facial injuries.
Wood sustained minor injuries from 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 during the incident.
During his interview with police, Wood confirmed that he was the driver of the vehicle and that he had not taken any recreational substances before the drive from Ash Magna to Nantwich. The remaining passengers of the vehicle told Cheshire Police officers that Wood's driving was too fast for the road, with the Fiesta reportedly reaching speeds of 90mph as they made frequent requests for him to slow down.
Inspector Steve Griffiths, Lead Investigator, 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 Woods 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."
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