Man jailed for causing death of then friend in Lancashire collision
It happened in April 2023
Last updated 24th Mar 2026
A man found guilty of causing the death of a friend in a collision in Lancashire has been sentenced to nine years in jailed
Matthew Bennett lost control of his Audi A1 on a bend on Cobbs Brow Lane in Newburgh in April 2023.
The car left the road and crashed into a tree.
Passenger Christopher Tromp, 20, of Wigan, suffered catastrophic injuries and sadly died at the scene.
Bennett, now 23, who had been drinking in a nearby pub before the crash, was also seriously injured and spent several weeks in a coma.
He was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving in January 2025 and following a 7-day trial at Preston Crown was unanimously found guilty by a jury.
Bennett, formerly of Lawrence Road, Liverpool, has also been disqualified from driving for 11 years.
From Julie and Ged, Chris’ Mum and Dad:
“When Chris was killed, our family didn’t shatter or break apart, we pulled together and remain close, supporting each other. Our lives were shattered of course, but we have tried our utmost to maintain our own dignity and values and honour Chris’ memory in the very best way we can.
“It is not possible to measure the impact of losing him and continuing without him is incredibly painful. A day doesn’t go by where we don’t think about him and realise, we miss him so much. We simply don’t have him around as he should be and as we expected he always would be. We set the dinner table for four not five. We talk about him, not to him. We have lots of photos but there will be no more, and we have to rely on our memories without the opportunity of making new ones.”
They continued:
“It is almost three years since Chris was killed, and we have had all that time to try and rebuild some kind of life around our grief. However, we have also lived with the knowledge that the person responsible has never acknowledged this or shown any remorse for his actions.”
Sgt Laura Kendall, of our Serious Collision Investigation Unit said:
“Christopher was evidently a dearly loved young man, who had a long life ahead of him, a life that was tragically cut short by Matthew Bennett’s dangerous driving.
“Firstly, I must commend Christopher’s family for how they have conducted themselves during our investigation and throughout court proceedings. In a time of such upset and loss, they have shown incredible strength and bravery. My, and the team’s thoughts remain with them, as they continue to rebuild their lives following their loss of Christopher.
“I don’t doubt that Bennett never intended on taking a life that night, but he did know how much he had to drink, he knew the road – that it was a rural area, surrounded by trees, with a 40mph speed limit - yet he still chose to drive, and to drive dangerously.
“He called himself Christoper’s friend, yet has not once admitted his guilt, forcing Christopher’s family and loved ones to endure a six day trial.
"It is not my place to comment on the sentence passed today, but I do hope that now justice has been done, and Bennett has received a custodial sentence, Christopher’s family can feel some sense of closure, and that Bennett can reflect on his own actions."