Drunk driver jailed for crash that killed 22-year-old woman

A drink driver who killed a woman and seriously injured his own child in a head-on collision in Leeds has been jailed for eight years.

Jonathon Hopkinson, 36, caused the death of Alice Birchall, 22, when he collided with her car in Manston Lane in June 2022.

The crash also left eight-year-old Isobella Hopkinson, who was traveling in his car, seriously injured.

Hopkinson, of Hollyshaw Lane in Whitkirk, was also banned from driving for 12 years at Leeds Crown Court.

He was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty to drink driving, causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

Mrs Birchall, from Crossgates, died in hospital after being seriously injured in the collision.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Con Lindsey Pickles, of West Yorkshire Police, said Hopkinson had caused “untold devastation” to her friends and family.

“Nothing will bring her back, but I hope today’s sentence will bring some closure and serve as a message to those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” she added.

Hopkinson was jailed for eight years for causing death by dangerous driving.

He was also given a two-year prison sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, to be served concurrently.

Watch BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send story ideas to [email protected].