Man jailed following fatal collision in Middlewich

A motorist who left his passenger to die following a collision on Warmingham Lane, Middlewich, has been jailed.

Liam Foster, of Smallbrook Walk, Crewe, was sentenced to 42 months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Friday 4 February.

The 45-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention, causing a death whilst disqualified, causing a death whilst uninsured and failing to stop following a collision.

Foster was also banned from driving for 45 months and will be required to sit an extended retest.

The court heard how on the morning of Friday 8 October 2021 Foster was driving a red Ford Focus on Warmingham Lane, near Middlewich, with four passengers in the vehicle - two women, age 30 and 57, a 25-year-old man and a 10-year-old child.

As he was driving around a bend in the road, he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree at around 11.50am.

Following the crash Foster collected the child from the rear of the car.

He then approached another motorist who had stopped at the scene and convinced them to take them to an address in Crewe – on the understanding that he would be returning to the scene as soon as he had dropped off the child.

The motorist then drove him to Crewe and waited more than 45 minutes but despite his promise, Foster failed to return.

Meanwhile, at the scene, the remaining passengers and other passing motorists contacted the emergency services who swiftly attended the scene.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of all those involved, 57-year-old Jacqueline Nolan, who was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other passengers in the vehicle also sustained minor injuries.

An investigation was launched by officers from Cheshire Constabulary who quickly identified Foster as the driver and a manhunt was launched to locate him.

Extensive enquiries were undertaken to find him before he was finally arrested three days later when he contacted police on Monday 11 October.

Foster was subsequently charged in connection with the incident.

Following the sentencing PC Nick Anderton, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a tragic but entirely preventable collision.

“Foster should never have been behind the wheel that day, he had no licence as he has never held a licence and has 37 previous convictions for disqualified driving.

“The road where the collision occurred was clearly marked, had a suitable speed limit and all of the appropriate signage was in place, yet despite this, due to his driving Foster lost control of the vehicle and collided with the tree.

“Following the crash, he showed no regard for the three passengers in the car and instead, rather than call for help, he was only interested in protecting himself and evading justice.

“Thankfully, following our investigation, Foster eventually realised that that there was no escape and handed himself in before pleading guilty to all of the charges against him.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Jacqueline Nolan, who have been left absolutely devastated by this tragic incident.”