"I wish I could see your face again" says wife after husband killed by drug-driver

A heartbroken wife has paid tribute to her husband after he died following a crash caused by a drug driver.

Dad-of-four Kevin Viles died in November 2022 following a crash in Runcorn, caused by his friend, Haydn Patterson, who was driving under the influence of drugs.

Kevin spent 33 days in hospital, before he passed away from non-survivable injuries sustained in the crash - a period in which his wife Emma says she will 'forever be grateful for'.

In a touching and heart-wrenching tribute, Emma says 'a world that was full of happiness is now an empty place'.

Kevin’s wife Emma said: "Kev was not only my husband, but my best friend, my soul mate and a shoulder to cry on when I needed it.

"He fought so very hard to heal and recover from his injuries, to be back with me and our four children, Nathan, Jessica, Amber and Kaylee and not forgetting his precious grandson Kairo.

"Sadly Kev lost the battle on the 18th November, with myself and our daughter holding his hand all the way.

"I will forever be grateful for the 33 days we got to spend with you in the hospital praying and hoping every day for a miracle. Life is never going to be the same for any of us without him, he was our big friendly giant, who would do absolutely anything for anyone.

"Kev always put people before himself, he was selfless and caring. Our kids meant the world to Kev and he would always go above and beyond to ensure they were his number one priority. Although you sleep in heaven now, you’re not that far away, my heart is full of memories and you’re with me every day.

"You lived your life with meaning and with a smile upon your silly face.

"A world that was full of happiness is now an empty place. Our life together had only just begun now our babies had all grown up, but now I’m here doing it all on my own wishing things were so different.

"I’ll never understand why you Kev my husband my one and only true love, had to be taken away so soon from me. I miss your warmth, I miss your amazing smile, I wish I could see your face again even for a little while. I love you forever and a day Kev. In my heart I know that we will be together again in time."

Emma was speaking following the sentencing of Patterson this week.

Patterson appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, May 14, where he was sentenced to nine years in prison; to serve a minimum of six years of this sentence. On release he will remain on licence until the end of the nine-year sentence

The 30-year-old, of Barons Close, Widnes, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the drug drive limit (cocaine and cannabis).

He also admitted possession of class A drugs (cocaine) and possession of class B drugs (cannabis).

During the hearing the court was told that on Monday, October 17, 2022, Patterson had been out with his friend at a pub in Widnes. The pair spent around two hours in the pub, before leaving at around 5.40pm, in Patterson’s Mini Cooper.

They then drove towards Runcorn, travelling over the Mersey Gateway bridge and onto the Central Expressway.

At around 5.55pm, Patterson turned onto the Southern Expressway, where he lost control of the vehicle, initially driving towards the central reservation, before steering away, resulting in the Mini Cooper rotating across the carriageway and onto a grass verge where it rolled onto the roof and up the embankment.

Following the crash, Patterson climbed out of the car and spoke to a witness at the scene, before running off on foot, leaving Kevin in the car with serious injuries.

Emergency services were called to the scene and Kevin was subsequently freed from the car before being taken to Aintree University Hospital.

Patterson was subsequently located by officers at his home in Widnes, where he was seen throwing wraps of cocaine and cannabis out of the window, before again attempting to make off on foot, but was quickly located and arrested in relation to the incident.

Following his arrest, Patterson was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure where officers were able to conduct a breath test, which he had initially refused on arrest and take a blood sample.

The results showed that he was under the influence of both cocaine and cannabis at the time of the collision – with both amounts exceeding the specified limits whilst driving.

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