Man jailed for killing friend in head-on North Yorkshire crash

A man who killed his friend and seriously injured another driver in a head-on crash has been jailed for 11 years.

John Andrew Smith, of Sutton Lane, Byram, had been out with Ryan Lee on 17 June 2023, at a pub in Eggborough, North Yorkshire, when he opted to drive Mr Lee’s van despite having no licence or insurance.

He misjudged an overtake on the A645 Weeland Road and ploughed into another van resulting in Mr Lee’s death and leaving the other driver in a critical condition.

Smith, 24, had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, along with causing death while driving uninsured and without a licence and was sentenced at York Crown Court earlier.

North Yorkshire Police said witnesses had described Smith’s driving as “appalling” after he left the pub and said prior to the crash he had failed to stop at a red light and approached a bend at the wrong speed.

Mr Lee, 28, who was in the passenger seat of Smith’s van, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family previously described him as a “character, who lived life for today and to the full” and had a heart of gold.

The van driver had been returning home from work to have dinner with his family.

Smith was also taken to hospital with serious injuries, following the incident at around 18:30 BST.

Det Con Richard Grey said: “This collision has left the Lee family devastated with the loss of Ryan. They’ve told us it’s left them absolutely broken.”

He said the family of the injured driver had had their lives “turned upside down, as he endured multiple operations”.

“He now has to live with the fact that his injuries will leave a lasting legacy of reduced mobility and the inability to live his life as intended.”

He added Smith showed “no regard for the safety of others” in an attempt to save a few seconds off his journey by overtaking.