Driver jailed over crash that killed friend

A man has been jailed for more than seven years over a crash that killed his friend.

David Barker, 27, from Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to seven years and four months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

He was the driver of a Skoda Octavia which crashed on High Street, Wolstanton, on 15 June last year.

In court, Barker was also disqualified from driving for nine years and ten months and was told he must take an extended re-test before driving again.

His passenger Steven Field, 40, from Stoke on Trent, was thrown from the car and died at the scene.

Barker initially fled before handing himself in to police five hours later.

He admitted being the driver of the car and to travelling at 76mph in an area with a 30mph limit in the moments before the crash.

"Barker chose to drive at speed having been out drinking with Steven and another friend," said Det Con Jon Stant from Staffordshire Police.

"It was this grossly excessive speed that caused the collision and it goes to show that speed kills.

"The collision was avoidable and although Barker had consumed alcohol and was under the drink drive limit any alcohol can affect a person's judgement."

He added: "Our thoughts remain with Steven's family who are left to deal with the consequences of the poor judgments made by Barker that morning."

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.