Driver jailed for killing friend in 108mph smash
A DRINK driver from Canonbie who killed his friend in a high speed collision on the way home from Newcastle has been jailed.
Police were called to the smash on the A69, close to Throckley, at 11.30 pm on November 28 2024.
Ross Neville’s grey Ford Raptor had collided with a barrier on the westbound carriageway, but he was nowhere to be seen.
However, his friend, and passenger, Matthew Newton, 28, from Carlisle, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
It turned out that in the aftermath, Neville, now aged 35, had fled the area before police arrived.
He was arrested by Northumbria Police the following day and later charged with offences including causing Matthew’s death by dangerous driving and causing death whilst driving without insurance.
Investigators were able to prove he was over the drink drive limit at the time of the collision through CCTV and financial enquiries.
They discovered that Neville, pictured above, had been drinking pints of beer, shots and spirits in a city centre bar with Matthew for five hours before driving them home.
Footage captured him driving dangerously, narrowly missing street furniture and overtaking vehicles at speed – with his vehicle reaching 108 mph just before the collision itself.
At Newcastle Crown Court in January, Neville pleaded guilty to all offences and this week he was sentenced to 11 years and 11 months in prison by a judge.
He was also given a seven-year driving ban to start upon his release from jail.
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At the hearing, a statement was read out from Matthew’s mum Anna, who spoke of her family’s pain.
She said: “My life as I knew it ended that day to be replaced with the mere existence I live with now.
“We have been robbed of Matthew’s future in the most traumatic, horrific way. Life is hard now, a daily struggle filled with a constant overwhelming sadness, my heart aches every waking minute and the feeling of loss is painfully unbearable.”
Describing Matthew as “the most beautiful person”, she added: “He would do anything for anyone, built up a successful business and was simply loved by everyone who knew him, he had the brightest smile and lit up every room he walked into.
“At 28 years old he should have had his whole future ahead of him, now all I’m left with is an empty chair.”
Speaking after the trial outcome, Sergeant Greg Huntley of Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a shocking incident – with Neville driving so dangerously and recklessly that he killed his friend Matthew.
“It is clear to me that Neville was not a good friend – and he only had himself in mind that evening as he left Matthew with unsurvivable injuries in his car.”
Sgt Huntley described how they were able to trawl CCTV and financial data to piece together Neville’s actions, adding: “From this, we know that he consumed alcohol to the excess in Newcastle city centre before getting back in his pick-up truck to drive them home.
“He thought by running away he could hide how much he had drank – but thanks to tireless work by officers we proved this in other ways.”
He added: “Our thoughts firmly remain with all of Matthew’s loved ones as they continue to navigate a life without him.
“While no result will take away their anguish, I hope they feel a sense of comfort knowing Neville will spend a lengthy spell in prison.”
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