Man jailed over crash death on New Year's Day

A speeding driver has been jailed for eight years over the death of a teenager in a crash on New Year's Day.

Joshua Craven, 22, hit an oncoming car on the A35 near Kingston Russell, Dorset, shortly after 13:30 GMT.

A passenger in the second vehicle, Finlay Charles, 18, from Cornwall, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Craven, of Trinity Way, Bridport, pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving.

The defendant's black BMW 116 M-Sport reached speeds of up to 90mph (145km/h) just before the crash, police said.

Craven failed to negotiate a bend, hitting a Toyota Aygo containing the teenager, detectives added.

The Aygo was sent spinning into the path of a Kia Sorento.

Three people, including the defendant, were taken to hospital, although their injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

In hospital, Craven was found to be slightly over the limit for a psychoactive constituent of cannabis.

His car was found to have a badly worn tyre and another tyre with a slow puncture which was probably a significant factor in the crash, police added.

Sgt Gareth Thomas said: "Joshua Craven's reckless driving while under the influence of drugs was witnessed by several motorists and appeared to be over a sustained period.

"Our thoughts are very much with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died."

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