Shocking footage shows driver doing doughnuts around roundabout before crash that killed woman
This shocking video shows a dangerous driver doing doughnuts around a roundabout in the South West just hours before a crash that killed a young woman. Sam Box, 25, of Penstowe Road, Kilkhampton has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.
Box was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Friday, September 20 following the death of his 24-year-old girlfriend Briony Watkins. Briony, from Pendeen, sustained serious injuries after Box crashed into a bank on the A39, causing the car to flip and roll along the road near Bude. Briony was rushed to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead shortly after.
Box also sustained injures and was hospitalised following the crash. He was released and interviewed by police, where he gave a no comment interview.
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Truro Crown Court saw footage of Box carrying out dangerous manoeuvres in his Nissan 200 SX on the evening of April 28, 2023 as Briony was in the passenger seat. Later the same evening, Box was caught doing excessive speeds during foggy weather before causing the fatal crash.
He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven and a half years in jail on September 20, 2024. Vision Zero South West, a road safety partnership, shared footage of Sam driving recklessly around a roundabout the same night of the tragic collision. You can watch the footage at the top of this article.
Serious Collisions Investigator, PC Sarah Harvey, said: “The sentence passed by Judge Climie shows the serious nature of this incident. The manner of driving by Box resulted in the tragic loss of a young life that so easily could have been avoided.”
“Dangerous driving is any driving that falls far below that of a careful and competent driver, in essence if you wouldn’t do it in a driving test then you shouldn’t do it on the road. Rule 125 of the Highway Code states 'Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions is dangerous.'
“Cutting the number of deaths and injuries that occur on our roads every day is a responsibility we all share.” Following the crash and Box's sentence, Briony's family have paid tribute to her. Her mother has said she has been left "lifeless" following Briony's death.
Her sister Sophie said: “Briony is missed more than we could ever express. Her smile and infectious laugh, her beauty, her calm understanding and her quirky ways. Briony was not only my little sister but my god daughter and, after her father left, like my own child and my best friend. The loss we feel is immeasurable.”
Her mum Janine said: “Singing was everything to Briony. She used to fill our house with her beautiful voice which brought me so much pride and joy to hear. Now the silence is deafening. Her love of bees, forget-me-knots and peonies will live with me and many of her friends forever through the tattoos we have had done to remember her by. Losing her has left me lifeless and I count down the days until I can join her. She will always be in my heart and thoughts, and I miss her every minute of every day.”