A drink driver has been jailed for causing the death of his friend after a collision in Rowley Regis last year.
Cory Sewell, aged 25 of Barr Street, Birmingham was driving a grey Mercedes when it crashed into a lamppost on Penncricket Lane on the morning of 29 April.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Hamse Ismali, aged 28 was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
There were two other men in the vehicle, one who suffered minor injuries and a second who suffered an arm injury.
Sewell has been jailed for nine years and disqualified from driving for five years to begin on his release from prison. He will also have to pass an extended test.
Enquiries confirmed the Mercedes was travelling between 83mph and 92mph on a 30mph speed limit road just before the collision.
CCTV footage shows the vehicle momentarily airborne before landing and losing control, mounting the footpath and colliding with a lamppost.
Following the collision, Sewell initially refused assessment for his injuries and admitted to officers ‘I’ve just seen my friend die because of me’.
He was found to be over the legal alcohol limit for driving and was arrested.
Sewell pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Det Sgt Julie Lyman, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Sewell had total disregard for his and his friends’ safety and made the decision to get behind the wheel despite being over the legal alcohol limit.
“He drove dangerously, flouting the speed limit and his decision ultimately cost Hamse’s life – a tragic incident that could have easily been prevented.
“My thoughts are with Hamse’s loved ones and I hope the sentence offers a sense of closure.”
As the Euros kick off, a new campaign, #NotComingHome, is urging everyone to think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. This powerful campaign aims to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of drink driving.
The campaign features “Harry’s Story” shared by a heartbroken family who lost their son and brother to a reckless drink driver. This emotive and powerful story serves as a stark reminder that one bad decision can destroy lives and have lifelong consequences.
Getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to arrest, prosecution, driving bans, prison time, and even job loss. Most importantly, it puts yourself and other road users at risk of serious injury or death.