A man from Droitwich, Ben Woodland, 26, has been sentenced to eight years and three months in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
He has also been disqualified from driving for five years, with an extension of five years and three months, and has had 10 points added to his licence. He must take an extended retest before being allowed to drive again. Woodland, who was sentenced on February 6 at Worcester Crown Court, had initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty in December 2024.
On April 29, 2024, Woodland was driving along the A4538 near Worcester when he crossed onto the wrong side of the road after failing to negotiate a left-hand bend, and collided with an oncoming Honda Civic. The 57-year-old Honda driver died in the crash, and Woodland’s own passenger was seriously injured.
Woodland was given a drug wipe test at the scene of the accident, which tested positive for cocaine.
Detective Constable Keyte of West Mercia Police conceded that no sentence could be adequate to compensate for the loss of life, but expressed his hope that the victim’s family would be able to move on.
If you are being investigated for causing death by dangerous driving, solicitors with experience of similar cases can help prepare your defence. Contact our team at Auriga Advocates as soon as possible. We have specialist knowledge of motoring law, and will be able to guide and support you through every step of the legal process.