Family of dad killed by drink-driver call for change

The family of a father-of-one killed by a reckless driver high on cocaine and alcohol who was on bail over a previous crash have called for a change in the law.

Joshua Eldred, 31, was driving at more than 65mph (104km/h) on the wrong side of the road when he struck a Suzuki Celerio carrying Tim Burgess, 48, in Little Leigh, Cheshire, on 18 July.

Mr Burgess, from Frodsham, died in the arms of his girlfriend Wendy Wall, who was driving the Suzuki and was also seriously injured.

It later emerged Eldred had been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving over a collision 10 days earlier when he had also been drinking and taking drugs.

Mr Burgess's family have spoken out after learning that Eldred still held a valid driving licence despite the previous crash.

Eldred was jailed for 12 years at Chester Crown Court on 25 October after pleading guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Mr Burgess's sister Linzi Stewart, 49, has launched a petition calling on the government to amend the law so those charged with dangerous driving would have their licences immediately revoked, pending trial and sentencing.

The petition also calls for repeat dangerous driving offenders to be remanded in custody or closely monitored if released, and has so far received more than 68,000 signatures.

"If he had been remanded in custody, Tim would possibly still be alive," Ms Stewart said.

"Christmas is coming up and he was always the first one to say Merry Christmas in the morning.

"You have to get on with it for the kids, but it's just going to be a day filled with pain really."

After Mr Burgess died Ms Stewart said she was shocked to learn Eldred had crashed into a parked car on Mount Pleasant Road, Davenham, on 8 July before fleeing the scene.

He was released on bail, and had a valid driving licence while police waited for the results of his blood test, which confirmed he had been drinking and taking cocaine.

"Wendy's got to live with Tim dying in her lap for the rest of her life, and she suffered serious injuries which she's still recovering from," Ms Stewart said.

"It's just all gone, just like that, and he's left his 15-year-old daughter.

"My family have been totally destroyed by it...

"We've never really known grief like this before. The shock is horrific and I still cry most days."

Ms Stewart said Mr Burgess had been on a video call with his daughter when the crash took place, and she was still on the line when police found his phone in a hedge.

Despite the devastation caused by the crash, Ms Stewart said she does not harbour hatred towards Eldred.

"Us as a family sympathise with Mr Eldred's family and I truly believe he is remorseful about what happened," she said.

"What I do feel is that something needs to change regarding the law.

"People speeding, on their phones, drink driving – that's what needs to change."

Insp Steve Griffiths, of Cheshire Police's serious and complex collision investigation unit, said: "Eldred's actions have devastated the lives of all those involved, and the tragic death of Timothy Burgess shows the catastrophic consequences that will happen when these rules are ignored."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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