A 'cowardly' driver who ran off and left a dad-to-be to die after ploughing into him at 128mph on the M6 has been jailed. John Yates, 28, smashed into two cars whilst traveling at high speed through roadworks on the motorway in Cheshire.
One of those was being driven by Christopher Smith, 41, who had left work early that day so that he could spend time with his heavily pregnant wife.
Yates ran off as paramedics attended to Mr Smith, and rushed him to hospital. However he sadly died of injuries the following day. After he was jailed for more than eight years a police chief said Yates had robbed Mr Smith of the chance to meet his child and be a loving father.
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The tragedy happened at 12:30am on Tuesday, November, 15, on the northbound stretch of the M6 between junction 20 for Lymm and 21 for Thelwall. Temporary roadworks in place at the time meant traffic had to merge into one lane.
However 'despite multiple signs warning of the roadworks ahead, Yates continued to travel at high speed and was seen undertaking a number of vehicles in order to skip the traffic' police said.
As the traffic began to merge, Yates, who is from North Wales and was driving a white Volkswagen Scirocco, hit the side of a Peugeot 307 before then smashing into the back of a black Peugeot 107 being driven by Mr Smith.
After the smash, Yates was seen to get out of his car and run off from the scene, Cheshire Police said. Police officers began searching for him as medics attended to Mr Smith and the driver of the Peugeot 307, a 28 year-old woman from Preston and her 25 year-old passenger. Thankfully they suffered only minor injuries.
However, Mr Smith, from St Helens, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital. However, he sadly died there the following day.
Yates was arrested at around 5:30am after returning to the motorway. After being arrested he refused to give a breath or blood samples. He also denied any involvement in the crash.
However Yates, of no fixed abode, later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving as well as failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was today (Friday) sentenced to eight years and three months in prison by a judge at Chester Crown Court.
Following the sentencing, Sergeant Simon Degg, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Yates cowardly left the scene. Rather than staying to try to help Christopher and face the consequences of his actions, he ran off and left him to die.
“Even after he was located, he denied any involvement in the collision, and throughout questioning, he declined to answer any questions and refused to provide samples of breath or blood. His parting comments to investigators was that he puts all of his trust in those investigating the collision.
"That investigation showed that Yates was travelling at 128mph when he collided unnecessarily with the rear of Christopher's car.
“Christopher was a true gentleman, he had left work early that day so that he could spend time with his heavily pregnant wife. He was excited at the prospect of becoming a dad and a gentleman who was doing nothing wrong whatsoever.
“While Yates pleaded guilty, he had shown no remorse of his actions and he deserves to be behind bars for a substantial amount of time. Because of the actions taken by Yates that day, Christopher will never get to meet his child and be the loving father that he would have been.
“While no court result could ever make up for the loss or the pain that his family have endured, but I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide some closure. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”
Following his death, Mr Smith's family issued a statement through Cheshire Police, where they said that he donated his organs "so that others can live on."
"Christopher was a loving son, brother and uncle, and he was devoted to his partner Mandy" they said. "The couple were awaiting the arrival of their first child, and Christopher was extremely excited about the prospect of becoming a father himself.
"Christopher was very close to his family, and nothing was ever too much trouble for him in regard to his friends. He loved to spend time with Mandy and working to provide for her, and also enjoyed watching and playing football.
"Christopher will always be remembered for his great sense of humour. Following his death Christopher has donated his organs so that others can live on."
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