Reckless driver who killed three teenage friends when he lost control and crashed into a tree at 75mph is jailed for nine years
A reckless driver who killed three teenage friends in a horror crash when he lost control and crashed into a tree has been jailed for nine years.
Joshua Chapman, 20, was the driving Aaron Bell, 18, Louis Banks, 17, and Thomas Shevels, 18, back from McDonald’s when the tragedy occurred.
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The driver had run a red light and was traveling at 75mph on a dark country road before leaving the road on a bend and crashing into a tree.
All three teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene in Masham. Yorkshirewhile Chapman suffered serious brain injuries.
He was today jailed for nine years after admitting three charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
In moving victim impact statements, the families of Aaron, Louis and Thomas spoke of their devastation.
Louis’ loved ones said: ‘Losing Louis has changed our lives forever.
“We miss the joy, noise and laughter that Louis brought to our lives, the silence is now deafening. Nothing I write can do my boy justice. Louis should still be here, but he isn’t.”
Aaron’s family paid tribute to the “talented sportsman” who had the “world at his feet”.
They added: “A life so full of promise cut short and cruelly taken from us all. Our world has fallen apart and our lives have been changed forever. hearts are broken and the unimaginable pain of losing a child will stay with us forever.
“A huge hole has been left that can never be filled. No punishment today will justify the loss of Aaron because his life was needlessly taken.
“We have to live with the consequences of the driver’s actions for the rest of our lives. As a family, we are living a life sentence for something that should never have happened.
“Grief is a lonely road to walk. Grief is just love that has nowhere to go. Grief is the price we now pay for loving Aaron, and we loved him more than words can describe.”
While Tommy’s family said: “Losing our eldest son Tommy has devastated our family’s lives and the heartbreak has left huge holes in our hearts.
“Our biggest regret is that we were not there to prevent Tommy, Louis and Aaron from getting into Joshua Chapman’s car on the night of July 29, 2022.
“His reckless behavior destroyed the lives of three families that night.”
OMG, please save me.
Louis’ tragic message to friend
Teesside Crown Court learned that Chapman had picked up the three friends in his Alfa Romeo 147 on July 29, 2022, after a night out.
He was seen driving recklessly in the McDonald’s car park before driving off towards Masham.
A spooky one Snapchat The video Louis sent showed him being thrown around the car as Chapman raced through the city.
He then sent a message to his friend saying, “OMG please save me.”
A motorist told how he was driving on the B6268 when he saw a vehicle rear-end them and “honk continuously”.
Both cars eventually came to a stop at temporary traffic lights, but Chapman spun his car and sped down a dark country road.
The other driver said as he drove through the green light he noticed the Alfa Romeo had left the road and hit a tree.
He had ignored signs warning of a right-hand bend and tried to take it at 75mph, causing him to lose control.
This was an absolutely tragic and completely avoidable loss of three young lives.
Sergeant Ed Drake
Tragically, the three teens’ friends were waiting for them to return with dinner, unaware that they had all been killed.
The court heard how Chapman, who had passed his test ten months earlier, was described by friends as a reckless driver.
Just weeks before the crash, he boasted of driving 120mph while driving two girlfriends, who later vowed never to get in his car again.
In addition to a prison sentence, Chapman was also banned from driving for ten years and must pass an extensive test to regain his driver’s license.
Sergeant Ed Drakeof North Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation Team, said: “This was an absolutely tragic and completely avoidable loss of three young lives.
“Joshua Chapman now faces the consequences of his dangerous driving, but no punishment can ever compensate for the loss of Louis, Aaron and Tommy, the lives they would have lived and the pain their grieving families are experiencing.
“This catastrophic collision should be a lesson to everyone, especially young drivers, about the importance of being in control of your vehicle at all times.
“Driving into the lawwithin your own capabilities and depending on road conditions, is of utmost importance to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Louis, Aaron and Tommy. I would also like to acknowledge and thank them for their enormous patience and understanding during a lengthy and traumatic investigation.”
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