A driver who went on a five-hour drinking binge before crashing at 108mph and abandoning his dying friend at the roadside has been jailed for almost 12 years.
Ross Neville, 35, consumed large quantities of alcohol—including pints of beer, shots, and spirits—during a night out in Newcastle city centre before getting behind the wheel of his Ford Raptor with friend Matthew Newton, 28.
The court heard that Neville drove recklessly as the pair attempted to return home, overtaking vehicles at speed and losing control of the vehicle on the A69 near Throckley, on the outskirts of Newcastle.
Moments before the fatal crash, the vehicle collided with a metal barrier while travelling at speeds of up to 108mph.
Friend Left to Die at Scene
Newton, from Carlisle, Cumbria, suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite the severity of the crash, Neville fled before emergency services arrived.
In a shocking detail revealed in court, Neville told a passing HGV driver who stopped to assist that his friend was “fine,” before leaving the scene.
He was arrested the following day after investigators reviewed extensive CCTV footage and financial records, which confirmed he had been drinking heavily in the hours leading up to the crash and was well over the legal alcohol limit.
Police: “A Shocking and Selfish Act”
Sergeant Greg Huntley of Northumbria Police described the incident as “shocking,” highlighting both the reckless driving and Neville’s actions afterward.
“This was a shocking incident—with Neville driving so dangerously and recklessly that he killed his friend Matthew,” he said.
“Worse still, he then told a passing driver his friend was fine before shamelessly fleeing the scene. It is clear he was not acting as a friend that evening.”
Investigators pieced together Neville’s movements through CCTV and financial data, establishing that he had been drinking excessively for hours before deciding to drive.
“He thought running away would hide how much he had drunk,” Sgt Huntley added. “But officers were able to prove the truth through other evidence.”
Sentencing and Ban
Neville, of Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, admitted multiple offences including causing death by dangerous driving and driving without insurance. At Newcastle Crown Court, he was sentenced to 11 years and 11 months in prison.
He was also disqualified from driving for seven years, with the ban set to begin upon his release.
Sentencing, Judge Edward Bindloss condemned Neville’s actions in stark terms.
“You took no steps to help him. You didn’t even call emergency services,” the judge said. “You did nothing. You were only looking after yourself.”
Family’s Devastation
In a powerful victim impact statement, Newton’s mother Anna described the unbearable grief of losing her son.
“November 28, 2024 will always be the day that broke my heart and changed my life forever,” she said. “My life as I knew it ended that day.”
She spoke of the future her son would never have—the chance to marry, have children, and fulfil his ambitions.
“Instead, we are left with an empty chair and a void that can never be filled,” she added.
Describing her son, she said: “Matthew was the most beautiful person, loved by everyone who knew him. At 28, he had his whole life ahead of him.”
Ongoing Grief
Police reiterated their condolences to Newton’s family, acknowledging that no sentence could undo their loss.
“While nothing will take away their pain, we hope this outcome offers some sense of justice,” Sgt Huntley said.
The case stands as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of drink-driving—and the devastating impact of selfish decisions made behind the wheel.
English (United States) ·