Face of dangerous Northwich driver who killed man in horror smash in A533 Runcorn Road

Dangerous driver Joshua Aldred ploughed into a car while on the wrong side of the road – killing a man and leaving his partner seriously injured. Now the 31-year-old has been jailed over the fatal collision in Northwich.

And collision investigators say the horror smash occurred because of Eldred’s ‘extremely poor and dangerous driving over a prolonged period of time’. Emergency services had been scrambled to the A533 Runcorn Road in Little Leigh

Cheshire Police say Eldred, of no fixed abode but from Northwich, had been seen by witnesses driving ‘erratically’ which included stalling at traffic lights, driving on the wrong side of the road, and failing to maintain a steady speed. As the defendant approached the stretch of the A533 between the junctions of Shutley Lane and Brakeley Lane, Eldred, who was on the wrong side of the road, ploughed into the front of a white Suzuki Celeria, driven by Wendy Wall.

Wendy, aged 48, was travelling with her partner Timothy Burgess. Sadly 48-year-oild Timothy sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene.

Meanwhile Wendy was seriously injured as a result of the crash. Eldred went on to plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

During a hearing at the crown court in Chester he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Eldred was also banned from driving for 10 years. Once he has completed his driving ban, he will also be required to undertake an extended driving test.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, of Cheshire Police’s Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, hopes the sentence will bring some closure to those affected by the incident. He said: “This collision occurred due to the extremely poor and dangerous driving of Joshua Eldred over a prolonged period of time. His driving can only be described as atrocious and pointless.

“Driving is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test.

“Eldred’s actions have devastated the lives of all those involved, and the tragic death of Timothy Burgess shows the catastrophic consequences that will happen when these rules are ignored.

“I hope today’s sentencing provides some closure to the family and friends of Timothy, who have suffered the most severe and horrific loss.”