Overview
- The crash occurred in the early hours of 15 June 2025 when David Barker lost control on Wolstanton High Street, hit a lamppost and the car rolled, throwing 40-year-old rear-seat passenger Steven Field through an open sunroof.
- CCTV showed Barker leaving the vehicle and running from the scene and he handed himself in to police about three hours later after considering taking his own life.
- Barker pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to seven years and four months, of which he must serve two-thirds in custody, and was disqualified from driving for nine years and ten months with an extended retest required.
- Court evidence estimated the car was travelling about 76mph in a 30mph zone before Barker swerved to avoid another vehicle, and a post-incident blood-alcohol test five hours after the crash recorded 17mg per 100ml, below the legal limit.
- Victim impact statements described lasting harm to Steven Field’s widow and family, while the defence stressed Barker had no previous convictions and expressed remorse as the judge emphasised the sentence reflects both the avoidable nature of the crash and its human cost.