Drink driver jailed following fatal collision in Crewe

A drink driver who killed an innocent motorcyclist during a collision in Crewe has been jailed.

Callum Carew appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 13 May where he was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.

The 34-year-old of Rochester Crescent, Crewe, had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving while over the drink drive limit.

The court heard how at around 11.15pm on Friday 31 March, witnesses described seeing Carew driving his white BMW M2 at speed on the A534 from Crewe towards Wheelock.

A passenger in his vehicle told officers that he reached speeds of up to 140mph on the single carriageway road, which has a speed limit of 60mph.

Carew continued at speed, driving around the Wheelock Roundabout and then back onto the A534 travelling back towards Crewe.

Moments later, he hit the back of a blue Direct Bikes Scooter which was being ridden by 29-year-old Razvan Brumar who lived in Crewe. The impact of the collision caused him to be ejected from his bike and sustain serious injuries.

Officers attended the scene and Razvan was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Leighton Hospital. Despite the best efforts of all those involved he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Carew was spoken to by officers at the scene, and initially attempted to deflect the blame by claiming that Razvan’s bike had no lights.

He also told officers that he had only had one pint. However, after failing a breath test at the scene he was arrested and taken to police custody.

When tested in custody Carew had a reading of 93 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than two times the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

During the investigation officers extracted data from his vehicle which showed that the average speed on the journey that Carew took prior to the collision was 104.3mph.

Forensic reports also concluded that the BMW was travelling at between 66mph and 81mph when it collided with Razvan’s scooter.

Carew subsequently refused to answer any questions in police custody, but despite his silence he was later charged in relation to the incident.

Following the sentencing Sergeant Andrew Dennison of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigator said:

“This was a tragic but entirely preventable collision caused by Carew’s poor driving and his catastrophic decision to drive while under the influence.

“Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test.

“That night Carew chose to deliberately ignore those rules, not only did he get behind the wheel while drunk, but he then went out and drove at excessive speeds, for no other reason other than to show off to his passenger, and showing absolutely no regard for the safety of other motorists.

“Sadly, as a result of the selfish actions taken by Carew, an innocent man lost his life.

“I would like to pass on my gratitude to the members of public who assisted at the scene and for the courts for handing down this sentence on Carew and I hope that in some small way, this gives his family some comfort knowing justice has been served.”

Razvan's family said:

“Razvan’s death caused in such violent conditions have caused boundless pain in our hearts, we are all devastated.

"Razvan was a healthy young man, full of life and eager to build a beautiful future. He had a warm nature, he was a very happy person, always smiling and making his friends laugh. He was always such a positive person and was so attached to his family.”

Pictured - Callum Carew of Rochester Crescent in Crewe.