A drink driver who downed 10 beers on the first day of pubs opening after lockdown and fatally injured a 19-year old student while driving at’motorway speeds’ in a 20mph zone was jailed.
David Turner, 31, drove ‘like a maniac’ in his £30,000 Audi S3, reaching speeds of 72mph and revving his engine ‘like a racing car driver’ in Kirkham, Lancashire when he hit a pedestrian.
He and his friends had admitted that July 4, the first day bars re-opened following lockdown last summer, was an opportunity to be ‘wasteful’.
Gabriel Isaac Fields, a 19-year-old student at the University of Salford, was killed instantly when Turner climbed on the pavement and drove into him.
Turner was sentenced to ten year imprisonment after he pleaded guilty for causing death by dangerous and serious injury through dangerous driving.
Turner’s car was described by passengers as ‘a white knuckle ride’. They also admitted that no one would have been able to stop him if there were a crash.
David Turner, 31, drove ‘like a maniac’ in his £36,000 Audi S3, reaching speeds of 72mph and revving his engine ‘like a racing car driver’ in Kirkham, Lancashire when he hit a pedestrian
Bob Elias, the prosecutor, stated that Turner was out with friends on July 4, last year, which was the first day that pubs were reopened after lockdown.
Courtney Patton gave evidence, stating that this was the group’s first chance to let loose and get their hair out.
Turner and his wife had to leave their babysitter at 6pm. Ms Patton was also able to go with them because she wanted to purchase cigarettes.
Ms. Patton stated that this small journey was the most painful car journey she had ever experienced.
She described Turner’s driving speed as so fast that his wife shouted at him and said that no one would have been able to stop him in a collision.
Ms. Patton said, “It was like an open-air ride.”
The group returned to the pub at 10pm, but Ms Patton and Elizabeth Newton got into an argument, so Turner offered Turner to take Ms Newton home.
Mr. Fields was walking along Station Road in Kirkham just before 10pm to get snacks from the Co-op, where he also worked part-time.
Turner drove away from The Swan Hotel, Poulton Street, with his wheels spinning in the gravel.
Turner was turning onto Station Road when he lost control and mounted the pavement. He hit Mr Fields before colliding against a bench and a tree.
Although emergency services arrived on the scene in minutes, Mr. Fields couldn’t be saved.
The psychology student died instantly after suffering severe injuries. The court heard that Turner and his four passengers were also injured in the accident.
Later accident investigators concluded that the Audi was travelling up to 70mph when it collided against the kerb.
Mr Elias stated that the accident was not due to inattention at the moment of the defendant. He was an accident waiting for him.
‘Throughout the afternoon, he had driven at excessive speed and bullied traffic.
Passersby had observed and commented on his driving. His aggressive driving was the cause of a car collision.
“He killed Gabriel Fields is a tragedy.”
The aftermath of the collision in which Gabriel Fields, a student at 19 years old, was killed by David Turner
Jacqueline Blache–Rostron, Mr Fields’ mother, made a touching victim impact statement and paid tribute to her son’s kindness and care.She said that Fields dreamed of traveling to the USA and was proud of being a US citizen.
Ms Blache–Rostron stated that her last words were, ‘Have Fun, Be Careful, See You in a Bit’. But, I never got to meet him again, and he never got the chance to see me again.
She described hearing sirens and being worried about her son’s safety.
Ms Blache Rostron stated: “My heart stopped, my stomach was turning. I was already watching the clock wondering if Gabe was there. He always kept in touch.
She recalled the moment Adam her husband called her from out of town to find Mr Fields.
Ms Blache Rostron stated that this was when her life fell apart.
She described her son, as a loving brother, stepson, and son, who never had the opportunity to finish his degree, get married, or have children.
Judge Heather Lloyd sent Turner to prison.
‘This was an area you were familiar with, these were roads you were familiar with.
“Had your drunken, angry, and been driving on alcohol, it’s likely that you wouldn’t have driven off the road and hit Gabriel.
He had only gone out for snacks. His family will live with the consequences.
You put your own safety and your reckless drive before others.
“Your passengers were injured, and so were we.”
“Even though Elizabeth Newton did not consider whether you were fit enough to drive, your passengers must have realized what condition you were likely in and decided to ride in the car with.
“They all encouraged you to get into the car when you shouldn’t have and encouraged you not drive.”
Gabriel Isaac Fields (pictured), a 19-year-old student at the University of Salford, was killed instantly when Turner climbed onto the pavement and drove into the teenager
The court heard that Ms. Newton suffered serious injuries in the collision, including a fractured pelvis. She is still recovering from these injuries.
Turner was not able to respond to police’s questions and refused consent to have a blood sample taken at his unconscious state to be sent to analysis.
Russell Davies, mitigating, stated that Turner had a spouse and a family who would be affected if he was imprisoned.
Judge Lloyd however said that “You are the only one who can do this.” [Turner]You didn’t care about the risks you took for yourself or anyone else.
“You will eventually rebuild your life. Your children will see their father once more.
“Gabriel’s family won’t have that chance.”
Turner will also not be allowed to drive for five years after his release. Turner must sit an extended repeat test.
Sgt Finn Quainton of the Lancashire Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit stated that Gabriel’s death was completely unnecessary.
“It happened because David Turner was completely unaware of the drink-driving laws, and because he drove so fast that he lost control over the car.
‘Gabriel Fields had no alcohol in his system and was innocently walking on the pavement’.
“David Turner” was actually an accident waiting to occur. Turner drove at an excessive speed and bullied other traffic throughout that afternoon.
“His aggressive driving was the reason a car crash was inevitable.” Gabriel Fields was killed, and that turned it into a tragedy.
“My thoughts today remain with Gabriel’s loved one and I hope that today’s sentence can bring them some comfort.”
Ms Blache Rostron said, “It is very difficult for me to put into words what it means to lose a child.” Gabe was a kind and gentle young man who was smart, funny, and smart.
“Nothing, and it is nothing, can prepare you to feel the devastation, emptiness, and despair you feel when your child, someone you gave birth too, who you would do any for, who you love more, will never return home.
“You will never again see him, you will not hug him again, and you will never tell your friend how proud you are of him. All because of his actions.