This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
A driver has been jailed for causing the death of a woman in a collision on the Isle of Wight.
Rachel Titley died after her Daihatsu collided head on with a Citroen Xsara on the A3054 near Yarmouth in October 2013.
The 28-year-old had been driving home to Totland. She suffered a serious head injury and was taken to hospital but later pronounced dead.
Driver had been drinking
The Citroen, which was on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision that evening on Friday 11 was being driven by Craig Eccleston-Todd.
He had been drinking at a pub with friends prior to the collision and was using his mobile phone at the wheel.
PC Mark Furse from Hampshire Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said:
“Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family at this time. She had been out with friends at a pub in Shalfleet that evening, but had not had any alcohol. Our investigation showed that there was nothing she could have done to avoid the collision and sadly it cost her her life.
“Mr Eccleston-Todd had left work in Yarmouth and met with friends at a pub where he drank at least three to four pints of lager. He hadn’t long left the pub to return home when the collision occurred at around 9.30pm.
“We weren’t able to take breath or blood tests from him immediately and although blood taken several hours after the collision showed he was marginally under the limit, we maintain he would have been over the limit at the time of the collision and in summing up today, the judge agreed.
“The analysis of his phone records showed that he was texting on his phone around the time of the collision so it’s highly likely this would also have contributed to his dangerous driving and loss of control.
“Mr Eccleston-Todd will now spend six years behind bars, but Rachel’s family have lost her forever. I hope this will make people think twice before drinking any alcohol and getting behind the wheel, or using a phone once they’re on the road.
“The dangers of drink driving and driving whilst using a mobile phone are obvious. Those who continue to do so risk spending a substantial time in prison. This case highlights just how tragic the consequences of committing these offences can be.”
Following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, Craig Eccleston-Todd, 27, of Clifford Street, Newport, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving on December 3, 2014, and sentenced today (January 2, 2015) to six years in prison and disqualified from driving for eight years after which time he will have to complete an extended re-test.
