A WHITCURCH man was jailed for 10 years after he admitted to causing the crash which killed his friend Felix Davies and seriously injured three other people.

Finley Wood, 21 and of New Woodhouses in Whitchurch, was jailed for 10 years and six months at Chester Crown Court on Friday, September 20 after pleading guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing injury by dangerous driving.

The court was told that on the evening of Sunday, April 9 2023, Wood left the White Lion pub in Ash Magna with his four friends, including 19-year-old Felix, a former barman at the White Lion in Ash.

READ MORE: Whitchurch family pay tribute to 'much-adored' teen son

READ MORE: Air Ambulance to benefit from Ash village fair

During the journey to Nantwich, and travelling on the A525, Wood’s Fiesta crossed the solid white line in the middle of the road, crossing onto the other side of the carriageway and had a near miss with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.

MORE NEWS:

Wood lost control of his vehicle as it continued around the bend, before leaving the carriageway and colliding with a tree.

The collision left Felix, who had been in the front passenger seat of the Fiesta when the crash occurred, with fatal injuries and he was declared dead at the scene despite the best efforts of attending emergency services.

The three remaining rear seat passengers were all left with serious injuries as a result of the collision and were immediately taken to hospital for treatment.

One sustained a broken sternum and spinal injuries. Another suffered a dislocated hip, a chipped his femur, four broken ribs, a bruised liver, and a broken orbital socket along with his nose and cheekbone. The third passenger was left with a broken leg and facial injuries.

Wood sustained minor injuries from the crash and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving – a roadside drug and alcohol test found that was not under the influence of any substances during the incident – before being taken to hospital as a precaution.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@whitchurchherald.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

During his interview with police, Wood confirmed that he was the driver of the vehicle and that he had not taken any recreational substances before the drive from Ash Magna to Nantwich.

The remaining passengers of the vehicle told Cheshire Police officers that Wood's driving was too fast for the road, with the Fiesta reportedly reaching speeds of upwards of 90mph and the passengers making frequent requests for Wood to slow down.

Wood subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.