Crash victim family's no drinking plea to drivers
Family picture- Jacob Chugg-White, a young farmer and rugby player, died in a car crash caused by his drunk friend William Bennett in July 2022
- Bennett pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the limit and received a suspended sentence, a driving ban, and other penalties
- Mr Chugg-White’s family urged all young drivers to take responsibility and avoid drinking and driving, saying they were “sorely missing” him and his “appetite for fun”
Family members of a young farmer who died in a crash involving a drunk driver have called for "all young drivers to take a greater responsibility".
Jacob Chugg-White, 23, was thrown from a car being driven by friend William Bennett in east Devon on 23 July 2022.
Bennett, 24, of Broadhembury, admitted causing death by careless driving while over the drink-driving limit and was given a two year suspended jail sentence at Exeter Crown Court.
The five people in the car were friends and members of Honiton Young Farmers Club.
'Tragic death'
Rugby player Mr Chugg-White, who was in the back seat, died when Bennett lost control of the car which rolled over on a country road near Dunkeswell.
Mr Chugg-White's family said in a statement they were were "sorely missing" him.
"Jacob’s tragic death was untimely and unnecessary," they said.
“As his parents and sister, we urge all young drivers to take a greater responsibility for their passengers and themselves.
“If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t put your families through the heartache and trauma we have endured and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives."
They added that Jacob would "live on forever" in their memories.
The "larger than life character" had an "appetite for fun that everyone that knew and met him loved", they said.
Bennett was banned from driving for five years and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid community work, 30 days of rehabilitation activities, and 120 days of monitored alcohol abstinence.
Follow BBC News South West on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].