Drunk driver who caused death of friend is sentenced

A drunk driver who caused the death of his friend in a car crash just before Christmas has been sentenced to six years and four months years in prison.

Darrel French ran away from the scene of the accident, on the A167 inner ring road, in Darlington on December 21, 2013.

Another motorist chased him to face the aftermath of the crash, Teesside Crown Court heard.

25-year-old French was driving an Isuzu Trooper, which had been stolen in an earlier burglary, which witnesses saw driving at speed in the lead up to the crash.

James Reddington, a front-seat passenger, was declared dead at the scene, after the Isuzu crashed into an Arriva bus.

French, of Haughton Road, Darlington, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, drink-driving and driving without insurance.

A second defendant, 23-year-old Daniel John Bolton, who was a back-seat passenger in the car, suffered serious injuries in the crash.

He admitted burglary and aggravated vehicle taking and was sentenced to three years and eight months.