Fatal crash driver claimed he was a passenger

A disqualified driver who killed his passenger in a collision and then lied to police has been jailed for more than four years.

Levi Baxter, 21, was driving a black Skoda Fabia along West End, in Wilburton, at about 9.50am on 25 October when he lost control on a corner.

The car hit a tree on the passenger side, seriously injuring Ben Bland, 19.

Pictured: Levi Baxter, 21. 

Mr Bland, of Cambridge, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, where he died two days later.

Baxter, who suffered minor injuries, told officers he was a rear seat passenger, and the driver had run off.

However, Police Officers began to doubt his version of events having found the Skoda car keys on him, so he was arrested.

Further checks found the Skoda had no insurance and Baxter was disqualified from driving.

In hospital, Baxter told doctors he was driving the car and in police interview admitted driving, saying there had been mud on the road which caused him to lose control.

On Tuesday (14 January), Baxter, of Cunningham Close, Arbury, Cambridge, was jailed for four years and six months, having pleaded guilty to causing death by driving whilst disqualified.

He also pleaded guilty to causing death by driving whilst uninsured and causing death by driving whilst unlicensed, for which he received no separate penalty.

Baxter was also banned from driving until February 2035.

Detective Sergeant Shona Birkby, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Whilst this sentence will never compensate for the loss felt by Ben’s family, I hope justice being done sends a message that we will prosecute those who drive dangerously in Cambridgeshire.

“Thank you to everyone who played a part in this case and our thoughts continue to be with Ben, his family and friends.” 

For more on road safety, please visit the dedicated pages on the force website.