Young drivers involved in fatal crash near Driffield jailed

Two young drivers who were racing each other before a crash which killed their friend have been jailed.

Joshua Walker and Ty Pettinger, both now aged 20, overtook each other several times while speeding through villages in East Yorkshire on 11 June 2022.

Walker, who was driving a Vauxhall Corsa, was trying to get past Pettinger's Skoda Fabia when they collided on a bend on the B1249 near Driffield. The cars ended up in undergrowth.

Seventeen-year-old Jack Stabler, who was travelling with Walker, died at the scene.

Walker, of Middle Street in Kilham, and Pettinger, of Main Street in Bainton, both pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and seriously injuring two others.

They were both sentenced to eight years in a young offenders institution and banned from driving for 12 years and four months.

Sgt Rob Mazingham, of Humberside Police, said: "This was a tragic and entirely avoidable incident that claimed the life of a young teenager and caused serious injuries to others. "The reckless actions of both drivers, who engaged in dangerous driving by competitively overtaking each other and failing to consider the consequences, have had devastating impacts on the lives of all those involved, as well as their families."

Hull Crown Court heard the crash happened in the early hours of 11 June as Walker and Pettinger drove at up to 90mph in 60mph zones.

As well as killing Jack Stabler, the incident left an 18-year-old man with two broken wrists and a fractured sternum. An 18-year-old man suffered a broken neck, six broken ribs, a broken shoulder, collapsed lungs and a damaged spleen that needed to be removed. In a tribute to Jack, his family said he had a "zest for life".

They said: "Jack was funny, clever, witty, charming, selfless, and above all he was happy. He was thriving and living his best life when it was tragically cut short, and there are no words to describe how deeply he will be missed by all who knew him."

Sgt Mazingham added: “This case serves as a stark reminder of the irreversible consequences of dangerous driving.

"Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of 17-year-old Jack Stabler who had the rest of his life ahead of him.”