David Turner, 31, of Martin Avenue, Lytham, was sentenced to 10 years for the death by dangerous driving and 16 months to run concurrently for the serious injury by dangerous driving at Preston Crown Court today (Thursday 4th November). Turner admitted one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Turner was also sentenced to a five-year driving ban to take effect upon his release from prison, after which he will also have to re-sit an extended re-test.
The Court heard that Turner had consumed ten pints of lager and two alcoholic shots when his Audi S3 ploughed into teenager Gabriel Fields in Kirkham on July 4, 2020. The collision occurred shortly after 10 p.m. as Gabriel was walking on the pavement from a local shop in Station Road where he had a part-time job.
The 19-year-old Salford University student suffered multiple injuries and died shortly after the collision despite the efforts of emergency crews at the scene. Turner, who police said had been drinking all afternoon, hit Gabriel after losing control of his car and mounting the curb.
In addition to the fatal injuries caused to Gabriel, one of Turner’s passengers suffered a number of serious injuries whilst two other passengers sustained less serious injuries.
Gabriel’s mum Jacqueline Blache-Rostron, said: ‘Nothing, and I mean nothing, can prepare you for the devastation and emptiness you feel when you are told that your child, someone that you gave birth to, are meant to protect, who you would do anything for, who you love more than anything else in this world, will never come home. You will never see him again, you will never hug him again, you will never tell him that you love him again and you will never tell him how proud you are of him. All because of the actions of that man.;
