Driver jailed after teenage friend killed in crash

A driver has been jailed for causing the death of his teenage friend, who was a passenger in his car when it crashed.

Jack Tomlinson, 21, from Scarborough, was over the legal limit for alcohol and cannabis when he hit a tree in the North York Moors National Park on 13 August 2021.

Harry Coopland, 18, was travelling in the car with Tomlinson and suffered serious head injuries. He died two days later in hospital.

Tomlinson admitted causing death by driving and was jailed for three years and nine months at York Crown Court on Thursday.

The court heard Tomlinson, of Farside Road in West Ayton, had been drinking with friends at a pub before he decided to collect his car and drive to Dalby Forest.

Mr Coopland was one of four passengers in the red Citroen, which was seen being driven "erratically and aggressively," according to North Yorkshire Police.

The car later left the road at Langdale End and crashed near St Athanasius Monastery.

Mr Coopland was killed in the crash and three other passengers were injured.

In a statement read at court, Mr Coopland's family described him as “a shining beacon of life, with a tremendous sense of humour”.

"He was a loving member of our family with the kindest heart and to be with him was an absolute joy.

“We mourn for Harry and the life that he could have and should have had, the wonderful future that lay in front of him and we mourn for our family, for the gaping abyss that is now part of our life and forever with us.”

A 16-year-old girl who was also a passenger in the car lost her hand as a result of the collision.

An 18-year-old man suffered three fractures to his spine and a girl, 15, was left with a face injury, according to police.

“Harry had his whole life ahead of him but it has been needlessly taken from him, and his family’s life has changed forever," a police spokesperson said.

“It is a stark reminder of the dangers and catastrophic consequences of drinking, taking drugs and getting behind the wheel.”

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