'Our future has been completely ruined': Heartbroken mum reveals devastation after danger driver causes death of Dean Fearon in horror smash
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Dean Fearon, a 29-year-old dad, died after the silver Ford Mondeo he was travelling in came off Sulgrave Road in Washington, Tyne and Wear, and collided with a tree.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that driver Lee Owens had been travelling at speeds of between 58-66mph – double the 30mph limit – before he fled the scene on June 20.
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Hide AdMr Fearon, who was a front seat passenger and who was wearing his seatbelt, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but sadly died two days later.
Prosecutor Gavin Doig told the court that witnesses heard a loud bang and the sound of screeching tyres, with one telling police he saw the car go airborne after coming off the road.
The court also heard that following the crash, Owens went to Mr Fearon's address where he spoke to the victim's partner.
He was described as acting "weird" and when asked where her partner was, Owens replied: "In car, crashed, Sulgrave."
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Hide AdHe left and was not seen again until he was found and arrested by police over two hours after the crash.
Owens consumed alcohol following the incident and a sample found 178mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, before telling police: "I tried to hoy a lot down me."
The 35-year-old, of Newriggs, in Washington, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Mr Fearon's partner submitted a written victim impact statement which told the court she was planning on proposing on the day of his 30th birthday but was
instead planning his funeral.
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Hide AdShe said: "Mine and my whole children's future has been completely ruined by Lee Owens.
"Dean went to work to provide, we had big dreams of owning our own home. Me and Dean decided we would get married.
"I still sit and wait for him to come home. I stress about the future for me and my girls. My daughters are struggling to come to terms with this.
"I feel vulnerable in every way possible. I couldn't even face leaving the house, I couldn't leave or face anyone.
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Hide Ad"Mine and my little girl's lives will never be the same again. Pictures and poems don't replace the devastation.
"I know in my heart of hearts I will never have justice. I'm really angry Lee left the scene and left Dean to die."
Nick Lane, mitigating, said: "Nothing that I'm about to say can in any way attempt to minimise the impact of Mr Owens' actions on Mr Fearon and his family.
"Mr Owens has specifically asked me to state his deep remorse for the consequences of his actions on that Sunday afternoon earlier this year.
"Since his remand in custody which was on the 11th of October he has engaged and completed work and he has gained employment in custody."
Judge Christopher Prince sentenced Owens to five years and four months behind bars as well as banning him from driving for 56 months.
The judge said: "Nothing any court can say or any sentence a court can pass can ever reflect the degree of loss or suffering caused by an offence such as this.
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Hide Ad"In this incident the defendant was driving in that 30mph speed limit at between 58-66mph, that is to say double the speed limit.
"This is a terrible and tragic loss."
Dean’s mother, Michelle, said: “Lee Owens has no remorse for what he has done. Why did he leave the scene, leaving Dean in the car to die the way he did?
“I will never have those answers. When does my grief begin? My life will never go back to normal.