Deadly crash driver slammed with 15 years behind bars
Fatal smash on Woodsetton road
Grant Meredith-Trafford, 31, from Brierley Hill, was locked up for 15 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday (25 April) for a tragic crash that killed a pedestrian. The horror smash happened just after 8.30pm on 26 January on Tipton Road, Woodsetton.
Reckless driving at twice the speed limit
Meredith-Trafford was unlicensed and uninsured when he lost control of his Subaru Impreza. He careered across the road, hitting 64-year-old Andrew Massey and his wife as they crossed. Andrew died on the spot despite emergency efforts, while his wife suffered severe pelvic fractures and is still recovering.
Fleeing driver caught after public appeal
Seconds after the crash, Meredith-Trafford fled the scene. Thanks to a public appeal and thorough police investigation, he was arrested on 19 February. Forensic CCTV analysis revealed his car was tearing along at 64-68mph in a 30mph zone right before the collision.
Charged with deadly driving offences
He now faces eight driving charges including death by dangerous driving, driving unlicensed and uninsured causing death, driving while disqualified causing death, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The sentence reflects new tougher sentencing laws, which recently raised the maximum penalty for death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life. Meredith-Trafford was also banned from driving for 17 years alongside his jail time.
