Man jailed after admitting causing death of friend by dangerous driving

A man has been jailed after admitting causing the death of his friend by dangerous driving.

Joshua Alcock, aged 26, of Oulton Road, Cheadle, was left paralysed following the crash which killed his friend and seriously injured another on 19 September last year.

He was sentenced to 54 months behind bars at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (Friday 30 September) after previously pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 63 months with a requirement to complete an extended re-test.

The court heard how Alcock was driving a Land Rover Discovery heading towards Cheadle in the early hours of the morning when he lost control on the A52 Leek Road at Kingsley Moor.

The vehicle was travelling at a speed of 84 miles per hour some 300 metres before the collision which saw it roll more than 60 metres into an adjacent field.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, all three occupants were found outside of the vehicle.

Sadly, despite the efforts of paramedics, front seat passenger Daniel Fallows, aged 35, from Cheadle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The rear seat passenger, a 21-year-old man, sustained serious injuries in the collision while Alcock himself remains paralysed as a result of his injuries.

A detailed investigation by Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit revealed Alcock had a blood alcohol reading of around 168µg, the legal limit being 80µg, at the time of the collision.

PC Matt Brailsford, the investigating officer in the case, said “Forensic Collision Reconstruction officers calculated Alcock’s speed as being more than twice over the speed limit.

“He was also under the influence of alcohol, having been drinking at a local pub with his friends before the crash.

“Joshua Alcock caused the death of his friend that night, seriously injured another and lost his own mobility, as a result of thinking he was fit to drive.

“Nothing will change the events of that night, but I would urge people to not drink alcohol and drive or travel above the speed limit.”

Mr Fallows’ family paid tribute to their “cherished son, brother, brother-in-law and doting uncle”.

They said: “Our Daniel - cherished son, brother, brother-in-law and doting uncle to three.

“At his happiest in a tractor, being filthy dirty with a smoke on and grafting his big, gentle heart out.

“If you wanted anything doing, ask Dan, he’d help out anyone - innocent and harmless.

“That big, soft smile Dan. Oh, how we’ll miss it.

“Stolen from us far too young, this wasn’t your time, Dan.

“Shine bright now, you’re with dad.”