Callous driver James Daniel Slater, 33, from Worthing, West Sussex, has been jailed following a fatal hit and run collision that took the life of graphic designer Henry Martin Minns, 19, and seriously injured a 20-year-old woman, on September 12 last year.
At Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday (February 18), Judge Ian Pearson sentenced Slater to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed drink drive limit on Mersley Down Road near Newport, Isle of Wight.
Henry Minns, from Penryn, Cornwall was walking along the road after leaving the Bestival music festival shortly after midnight on Sunday September 12 2010 with a 20-year-old women from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Both were hit from behind by James Slater, who was behind the wheel of a silver Ford Focus.
Police arrested Slater at 1.25am and took him into custody at Newport Police Station for questioning. Slater provided a breath test reading of 71, more than double the legal limit. He was charged following a three-month investigation in December 2010 to appear in court.
The 20-year-old woman from Shropshire, who received injuries to her legs and head, managed to summon assistance from a passing motorist. Security staff, police and ambulance crews at the adjacent Bestival music festival were at the scene rapidly. Despite attempts by several people, including paramedics and police, to resuscitate Mr Minns, he was subsequently pronounced dead at hospital.
Officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU), Dog Support Unit and Targeted Patrol teams (TPT) worked together with other emergency services and security staff to bring the collision scene under control and secure evidence. Information was received quickly from another motorist about the crashed Ford Focus, leading to the search for and arrest of Mr Slater.
Senior Investigating Officer Inspector Martin Goodall of Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit said “Our thoughts remain with the family of Henry Minns after his life was tragically ended in a collision on our roads. This case was a challenge for the police officers and staff from other agencies who had to act with both speed and skill on a main road at night outside one of the year’s biggest and busiest entertainment events.
“Credit must go to PC Martin Norman of the Shanklin Roads Policing Unit who assisted the ambulance crews in attempting to resuscitate Mr Minns, and then performed a crucial role in controlling a chaotic collision scene.
“I would like to thank paramedics, firefighters, Bestival organisers, site staff and members of the public for their assistance during the delicate aftermath of this tragedy.”
