A DROITWICH man whose appalling driving while on drugs resulted in the tragic death of a man has been jailed.
Ben Woodland, 25, of Ploughmans Walk, Droitwich, has been jailed for eight years and three months for causing death by dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs.
And following the sentencing, a West Mercia Police officer has said they hope this case teaches a sobering lesson to anyone even thinking about driving a vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs.
Woodland was found guilty of the offence at Worcester Crown Court following a fatal collision on Monday April 29, 2024.
At around 10.25pm, Woodland was driving a VW Golf along the A4538 Pershore Lane near junction six of the M5, towards Spetchley.
He had failed to negotiate a left-hand bend causing the vehicle to travel on to the wrong side of the road colliding with a Honda Civic, driven by a 57-year-old man.
Woodland’s dangerous driving caused fatal injuries to the Honda driver as well as serious injuries to his own passenger.
Woodland then failed a roadside drug wipe, testing positive for cocaine.
At court, he was further disqualified from driving for five years with an extension of five years and six months and a re-test and his licence was further endorsed with ten penalty points.
Detective Constable Keyte of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) South said: “We are pleased to get this conviction and sentencing for Woodland whose dangerous driving was exacerbated by his use of cocaine while behind the wheel.
“His appalling driving resulted in the tragic death of a man and no doubt put many other motorists at serious risk of harm. It is quite right he was also given an extended ban from driving with a re-test too.
“No sentencing will every compensate for the sad loss of life here, but we hope it will provide the chance for the victim’s family and friends to begin to move on with their lives now.
“We hope it also teaches a sobering lesson to anyone even thinking about driving a vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs. This was a tragedy that could have been avoided.”
