Driver fled scene of 163mph death crash; Motorist who clocked 'crazy' speed is jailed.

Byline: Hilary Clixby

A SPEEDING driver who killed a man when he crashed into his car at an estimated 163mph was yesterday jailed for 10 years.

Gary Forster was behind the wheel of a BMW Z4 sports car which rammed into the back of Christopher Turnbull's Ford Escort on the A19 in Sunderland in January this year.

He fled the scene of the crash, leaving 22-year-old Mr Turnbull dead at the scene and the Escort so badly damaged its make could not be initially identified, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

A police accident investigation later report concluded from he impact damage that the BMW had been travelling at 163mph, and Judge David Hodson said he could not recall another case where a fatal accident had been caused by such high speed.

The crash happened shortly after 10pm on the southbound carriageway between the A1290 Washington Road and the A1231 Sunderland turn-off, a relatively straight stretch of 70mph road where drivers can see up to half-a-mile ahead.

Forster, 39, had set off in the BMW from his flat in Gateshead to visit a friend after an argument with his partner.

Mr Turnbull was travelling to his mother's home in Sunderland from his girlfriend Katherine Harbinson's home in Jarrow.

One driver described seeing the BMW with its lights on full beam travelling at what she described as a "crazy" speed as it headed towards the Escort, which was travelling at a normal speed and that "it seemed as if the driver was deliberately driving at the back of the slower car."

Moments later the BMW struck the rear of the Escort, the cars locking together before the Escort was pushed to the nearside, became airborne and careered through bushes until it struck a tree.

Forster, whose car ended up off the road 150 metres south of the Escort, had already left when police arrived.

He took a taxi to his friend's home in Sunderland, later attending Sunderland Royal Hospital with his parents where he refused to give a blood sample.

"An examination of the BMW's computer showed that the driver still had his foot on the throttle at the time of the collision and there was no other evidence available to show that the defendant did anything other than remain on a straight course without taking any evasive action prior to the collision," said Michael Graham, prosecuting.

"The officers' conclusion is that the collision occurred as a result of the very high speed of the BMW and in the absence of any other explanation from the defendant, the apparent lack of observation or reaction as the defendant's vehicle approached the rear of the Ford Escort."

Forster, of Curzon Place, Gateshead, admitted causing death by dangerous driving on the basis his minimum speed was at least 127mph, and admitted a further charge of failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis. He has a previous conviction for dangerous driving when he ran over a pedestrian's foot.

Judge David Hodson jailed Forster for 10 years and disqualified him from driving for 10.

He told him: "In the space of less than three miles on a relatively straight section of the road with clear visibility, you accelerated to a speed of not less than 127mph.

"Mr Turnbull's Ford Escort was being driven perfectly properly in the offside lane ahead of you. For some inexplicable reason you failed to see that vehicle or were unable to react in time to seeing it. I do not ever recall a case where the speed of the vehicle causing the fatal accident was as high as this."

Glen Gatland, defending, said Forster had on the night of the tragedy been extremely upset, believing his long-term relationship may be over, and was driving to the home of a mutual friend.

"He cannot be more sorry for what happened," he said. "He does genuinely feel a bitter, bitter regret. He has repeatedly said if he could turn the clock back, he would do anything to do that."

NO EXCUSE

SAFETY groups last night expressed outrage at Forster's speeding.

Jeremy Forsberg, of the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative, said: "This type of ridiculous driving does increase the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

"It lacks respect and decency and for other road users and it is certainly one of the highest speeds I have ever come across."

A spokeswoman from road safety charity Brake said: "Driving at that speed is horrendous.

"He was driving twice as fast as the legal limit and his actions are appalling. I'm surprised more people, including himself, were not killed or hurt. There is no excuse for this type of driving."

CAPTION(S):

JAILED Driver Gary Forster, 39.