‘Atrocious’ BMW driver kills women in horror 90mph crash

A BMW driver who reached speeds of up to 93mph in a 60mph zone crashed into another car, killing two women.

Benjamin Lewis was speeding along the A5117 in Dunkirk, Cheshire at around 9.30pm on 25 November 2021 when he lost control of his BMW 420D in what were described as “horrendous weather conditions”. He collided with an oncoming Citroen DS3.

The driver of the Citroen, Ellie Crossley, was heading home from Cheshire Oaks with her friend Rebecca Doughty, who was in the front passenger seat. Both women, aged 20, died on the spot.

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Cheshire Police’s Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit called in a forensic investigator to reconstruct the accident and the events leading up to it. This identified that the BMW crossed the double solid white lines and entered the opposite lane when it hit the Citroen.

Lewis was arrested and later charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He initially pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of death by negligent driving, however, the prosecution declined to accept his guilty plea and a trial was listed for September 2023. He later changed his plea to guilty worse than causing death by dangerous driving.

The 31-year-old, from West Vale, Neston, appeared at Chester Crown Court today, Wednesday May 8, where he was jailed for 10 years and also banned from driving for four years after He was released.

Following the sentencing, Sergeant Andy Dennison, from Cheshire Police’s Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Despite the poor weather conditions and poor visibility, Lewis was traveling at speeds in excess of 90mph without to take into account the danger it posed to another road. users or himself.

“During the investigation, we used data collected by global satellites connected to electronic devices to show that Lewis was driving at high speed on several roads just before the collision. he accelerated hard to over 90 mph before losing control of his BMW on the wrong side of a double white line system.

“Tragically, as a result of his atrocious driving, Ellie and Rebecca paid the ultimate price and I hope he takes this time behind bars to reflect on the decisions he made that night and the impact he had on victims’ families.

“I cannot begin to imagine the devastating loss that both Ellie and Rebecca’s families have had to endure throughout this long and painful process and I sincerely hope that today’s outcome will provide some closure.

“Lewis refused to acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations, but once he realized the mountain of evidence that was stacked against him, he admitted that his dangerous driving had cost the lives of two young women.

“This has been an extremely challenging and complex investigation and I would like to thank all the dedicated officers involved in bringing Ellie and Rebecca to justice.

“While this outcome will not bring Ellie and Rebecca back to their families, I hope this sends a message to others about the consequences of speeding.”

After the accident, the families of Ellie and Rebecca paid tribute to “close friends” and said they were “devastated” by their deaths. They said: “Ellie Crossley, from Holywell, and Rebecca Doughty, from Connah’s Quay, were lifelong friends.

“The girls, both in their 20s, were traveling home from a Christmas shopping trip when they were tragically involved in a fatal road traffic collision.

“Both their families and friends have been truly devastated by this tragic event and will be sadly missed. Close friends for their short lives, they will remain in our hearts forever.”

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