A Weoley Castle man was today jailed for 9 years following an horrific crash which led to the deaths of his three friends.
Ben Thomas, of Princethorpe Road, Weoley Castle, was twice the alcohol limit when the car he was driving collided with a tree in Bristol Road, Selly Oak close to Pebble Mill in the early hours of Sunday 21st October last year. Blood tests also revealed traces of cocaine in his system. Collision investigators concluded that the ‘slowing speed’ of Thomas’ MG ZR was 73mph at the time it hit the tree and that driving conditions were damp and foggy.
Two of the passengers in the car died instantly in the high speed collision: Thomas’ friend James MacDonald and cousin James Wassell, both aged 24.
Thomas’s cousin David Wassell, 26, brother to James, suffered critical injuries and died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham the following day.
PC Damian Gibson said: “This case highlights the deadly combination of drink, drugs, excess speed and hazardous driving conditions.
“The crash happened on a damp road in thick fog and as well as being twice the alcohol limit, traces of cocaine were found in Thomas’ system.
“He had complete disregard for his own safety as well as the welfare of his friends, which has resulted in the needless loss of three young lives.”
Thomas was also handed a 10 year driving ban when he was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today.
If you witness or suspect that someone is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, contact police on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.
Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
For further advice on drink driving click here.
tragic and uneessary loss of life.So many families greiving. Ruined his young life too.
Very very sad case t!
I do wonder about our laws though…had he killed them at home or in the high street he would have got life.As he was in a car and killed them he gets 9yrs. Something not right with our legal system that seems to value life differently. i always joke with my partner if you wnat to kill me for the insurance money run me over (12mths) dont stab me (20yrs).
This was not red blooded murder in which he would of got life. If he was in a state he would not of known what he was doing.
Unfortunately the loss of his friends and family is also a factor he has to live with daily and also upon release he may possibly have back lash from people, friends and family as some people never get over the loss.
Looking at his picture he looks sorry and scared.
In reality the other 3 boys had probably been doing drugs and drinking but they still got in the car.
I drive past the accident place regularly and see flowers and football tops. My heart goes out to these families and also to Ben as the closer his release date gets, the more he will dread it due to the fact their are some people who will be lovely to him and simply others who won’t.
Ben will need to restart his life and will need the help and support of all his friends and family
I have to reply to this and in particular your comment of “in reality all three of them were probably taking drugs”. I was the partner of one of the men who was killed in this accident, we have two beautiful children together who are old enough to access the internet and see comments like this about the father who was torn away from them. Their father fought for our country in the British army, did active tours of service, worked hard, was a fantastic dad and amazing partner. He was a fitness fanatic, spent weekends with me and our children, rarely went out and rarely drank but I can categorically tell you that Dave never did drugs. He hated them. Half the “facts” reported in these articles are lies and before you comment your opinions of the REAL people involved in incidents such as these, consider those who may be reading them. Ben lied to them. He lied to me. He lied to everyone. The devastation he has caused to our lives and my children reaching every milestone without their father because of him, will never be ok. I will not sit and read that my children’s father did drugs when he was avidly against drugs and didn’t know Ben had taken them or the amount he had drank. His last words to me on the phone that night when I asked him how he was getting home were “Im getting a lift home with Jim babe, he’s T-Total I’d never get in the car with him if he’d had a drink”. So please do not soil his memory with your opinion so publicly