Death driver killed Sunderland dad in New Year's Eve 90mph horror crash

IT worker Lewis Urban, who was driving his Seat Ibiza in a manner that would be "reckless even on a racetrack" ran a red light in Sunderland and smashed into Michael Giblin's car at up to 96mph.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Giblin and his passenger were catapulted from his vehicle and both suffered catastrophic injuries.

Despite desperate efforts to save the 32-year-old, Mr Giblin died on January 10, which is his brother's birthday.

Mr Giblin's friend and passenger Caroline Robinson suffered multiple facial fractures, brain injury and is still suffering the devastating effects almost a year later.

Read tributes paid to Michael Giblin by Echo readers

Urban's teenage passenger, who he was "showing off" to, suffered a spinal fracture that has caused intense pain.

Urban, of Thomas Street, Sunderland, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Judge Tim Gittins has sentenced the 23-year-old to six years behind bars with a seven year road ban.

The judge said the time of the crash was "particularly poignant" due to the season and said Mr Giblin's children may grow up with "no real memory of their dear dad".

Judge Gittins said Mr Giblin and his passenger were "wholly innocent victims" who would expect others to follow the rules of the road.

The judge told Urban: "With the arrogance of youth, pride of ownership of a fast little car and a young friend to show off to in the passenger seat, youblatantly decided to ignore them from start to finish, with devastating and fatal consequences.

"I am quite satisfied on the information I have before me that you drove for a considerable period of your journey, if not the entirety of it, dangerously."

Judge Gittins said "no sentence can put things right or measure the quantum of the harm or the value of a life" and told Urban: "You were driving at a speed grossly in excess of the speed limit, with a complete disregard for the danger you were creating for others.

"Driving any motorised vehicle is a privilege, not a right. Sadly, all too often in these courts, we see young men who will think the rules don't apply tothem, think they know better and think they are capable of driving in a manner that would be reckless even on a racetrack, let alone a public highway."

Prosecutor Paul Cross told the court Urban and his passenger had "decided to go for a ride in his car, intending to go to the chip shop" on New Year's Eve evening last year.

Mr Giblin had been giving his friend Miss Robinson a lift when his car was smashed into by Urban at the junction of Springwell Road and Premier Road.

Mr Cross said Urban had "driven dangerously for some distance" and already ignored two red lights when he hit Mr Giblin's car at a speed of between 89 and 96mph on the 40mph road.

In an impact statement, Mr Giblin's grieving mum Christine Sharp said: "His two children, aged three and four, are left without their daddy, who loved them so much.

"My son has been taken from me in the most devastating way, my life will never be the same again.

"Every New Year's Eve will bring back what happened."

Caroline Robinson said in her statement: "I want Urban to realise how he has changed the lives of so many people because he decided to drive like a total idiot and go through a red light while over the speed limit.

“I may never fully recover. I don’t want to ever get in a car again and even thinking about it can reduce me to tears.”

Urban's own passenger said he was "horrified" by his driving and added: "I keep thinking why did I get into the car with Lewis that night and what could I have done to stop him."

Liam O'Brien, defending, said Urban got good GCSEs, has worked in IT since leaving school and has come from a good background, which makes it "all the more senseless".

Mr O'Brien added: "There is no justification or explanation for the defendant's actions."

Sergeant John Sanderson, of Northumbria Police, condemned Urban’s actions and said his dangerous behaviour behind the wheel has ruined many lives.

“This was a catastrophic collision that sadly resulted in Michael’s death and left two others seriously injured,” Sgt Sanderson said.

“No sentence today could ever take away the pain and anguish that Michael’s family are suffering, and my thoughts go out to them at this terrible time. I sincerely hope this outcome can offer some kind of comfort as they continue to try to come to terms with their loss.

“Urban’s behaviour that night have had the most horrendous of consequences. He endangered the lives of every road user as he drove at more than twice the legal speed limit before inexplicably jumping a red light at a busy cross-road.

“The laws of the road are not optional, they are there to protect people and ultimately save lives. Urban must now live with the fact that his decision to flout the law has ruined many lives and taken a much-loved man away from his family forever.

“I sincerely hope this case acts as a reminder to all road users. Your actions behind the wheel can have significant and irreversible consequences for so many.

“We take dangerous driving offences incredibly seriously and we will continue to vigorously pursue perpetrators and bring them to justice.”