Wakefield driver jailed for 10 years after fatal crash in Cotesbach
18-year-old Chloe Pearson died, and several others were injured
Jack Reape, from Wakefield, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a crash that claimed the life of 18-year-old Chloe Pearson and caused serious injuries to several others in Cotesbach.
Reape was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after pleading guilty in May to causing death by driving while disqualified, causing death by dangerous driving, and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In addition to the prison term, Reape was disqualified from driving for 12 years and must complete an extended retest.
The crash took place on 15th December 2023, when Reape, 31, of Townley Road, Wakefield, was driving a Citroen C3 on the A426 Rugby Road towards Coventry.
His car crossed into the path of an oncoming Mercedes CLK, resulting in a head-on collision.
Chloe Pearson, a front-seat passenger in Reape's vehicle, sustained a serious head injury and died in hospital on 17th December.
Her twin sister, Abigale Pearson, who was a backseat passenger, suffered life-threatening injuries, including internal bleeding and a fractured collarbone.
Reape and two other passengers in the Citroen also suffered injuries, with the latter sustaining minor ones.
Reape held an expired provisional licence and was disqualified from driving at the time of the crash.
The Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) conducted a thorough investigation, involving road and vehicle forensic examinations, scene mapping, and witness accounts.
The evidence demonstrated that Reape veered across the centre line, causing the collision.
Detective Constable Charlotte Wright from the SCIU stated: “This was a deeply tragic incident which has had a devastating and lasting impact on multiple people.
“Reape should never have been behind the wheel. He was disqualified from driving and held only an expired provisional licence.
“His actions resulted in the death of an 18-year-old woman who had her whole life ahead of her and left several others with serious injuries.
“Abigale not only suffered physical injuries but has also had to endure the unimaginable loss of her twin sister. Our thoughts remain with her and the rest of the family.
“This investigation has taken more than two and a half years to complete. Thanks to the work of specialist officers and the strength of evidence gathered, Reape pleaded guilty and spared those involved the added distress of a trial.
“I hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that dangerous driving can have. When you get behind the wheel, you carry a responsibility not only for your own safety, but for those travelling with you and also other road users.”