Drunk Driver Jailed for Deadly Crash That Killed Passenger
Alexander Clarke, 38, with no fixed address, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison at Reading Crown Court yesterday (4/4). He admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
Deadly Crash After Drinking Session
On the night of January 3, 2019, Clarke was driving a silver Ford Transit van in Wood Lane when he crashed into parked cars and a wall around 10.30pm. William Seymour, 47, a passenger in the van, suffered severe head injuries and died two days later in hospital.
The two had met earlier that evening at the Black Horse pub in Emmer Green and spent the night drinking together.
Drinking and Driving While Banned
Clarke was already banned from driving due to a previous collision but ignored the ban and drove again while nearly twice the legal alcohol limit. He also received a 5-year driving ban, extended by three years until he passes an extended driving test after his prison sentence.
He was sentenced to an additional 4 months for driving while disqualified, which will run concurrently with his main sentence.
Police Warn on Dangers of Drink-Driving
PC Mark Dunne, investigating officer from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said:
“This case has an absolutely tragic set of circumstances and highlights the dangers of drink-driving. Clarke was already disqualified and had not learnt his lesson. He was almost twice the drink drive limit when the collision occurred and sadly, it resulted in William Seymour’s death.”
This tragic case serves as a stark warning against reckless driving and drink-driving offences, reminding drivers that the consequences can be fatal.
