Drug driver jailed for causing the death of his son by dangerous driving

A man has been jailed for causing the death of his son by dangerous driving after he got behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of drugs.

Leon Clarke (aged 40) of Middlewood Walk in Marple, pleaded guilty to causing his son, Blake's, death by careless driving, whilst over the limit for drugs and also being uninsured.

On Friday, February 28, 2020, Clarke collected his children from their grandmother’s home in Middleton and was making his way to his partner’s address in Stockport.

Blake, aged eight, and Mason, aged six, were both off school for the half term holidays.

Clarke arrived to collect the children in his car which was not insured, and the tyres were below the legal limit.   

The weather on that day was poor which affected the conditions of the motorway, many drivers reduced their speed to the conditions due to the heavy spray and standing water.

While Clarke changed lanes his car went into an irreversible spin.

The rear of his car collided with a Highways Iveco Tipper Van that was stationary on the hard shoulder.

The collision caused extensive damage to the back of the car where Blake was sat.

Members of the public who witnessed the collision stopped and removed Blake from the damaged vehicle, along with Mason who was sat in the front passenger seat.

Despite the best efforts of members of the public and emergency services, Blake died from his injuries.

Mason suffered from minor injuries along with the Highways worker, who was in the Tipper van at the time - they were both taken to hospital.

Clarke provided a positive drug sample at the scene and was arrested.  

During interview he admitted that the car was uninsured, and that he had recently bought the car but hadn’t checked the condition of the tyres.

He also said he had taken cocaine the previous night but felt fit enough to drive.

He recognised that the weather conditions were poor, but said that he was travelling no more than 55-60 mph because the weather was that bad.

Greater Manchester Police's investigation showed that Clarke was travelling at 76mph.

He was found to be 13 times above the legal limit for the bi-product of cocaine – Benzoylecgonine, which suggested he had used cocaine more recently than stated in his interview.

Police Sergeant Emma Kennedy, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Blake's death was entirely preventable.

“His two son’s safety should have been at the forefront of his mind. Instead, he took cocaine in the hours leading up to collecting them from their grandmother.

"When he joined the motorway, he did not drive to the weather conditions and drove above the speed limit despite the surface water and spray.    

“The loss of Blake is not only felt by his family, but by his school friends.

"Blake should have been starting his journey at Secondary School this year.

"The devastation of Blake's death has affected everyone that loved and knew him.

"His death touching members of the public and the emergency services who tried to help on that day. 

“On behalf of Blake’s family and GMP, I would like to thank the members of the public who stopped and provided first aid to Blake, along with Highways employees, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Service, Air Ambulance and Manchester Royal Children’s hospital who all desperately tried to save Blake.

“This should be a reminder to any motorist who chooses to drive having taken drugs, for those who do not drive to the weather conditions, and for those people who drive with insufficient tread on their tyres.

"It can take all of these things, or even just one thing for a journey to end in tragedy – so please remember that your actions can have fatal consequences.”

In tribute to Blake, his mother Vicky said: “Blake was cheeky, he was the joker, he was popular, and he was very clever, he had a bright future.

"Blake was sensitive, affectionate, protective of Mason, his friends and me.

"He loved school, so much so he couldn’t wait to get back to School on that Monday.

"He loved his friends, which he had from nursery.

"He enjoyed street dance, computer games and Lego.

"Blake loved life and loved his family.

"Having been told by the hospital that Blake had died and seeing Mason with minor injuries.

"I couldn’t understand how one of my children was okay and the other was dead.

"On the day of Blake’s funeral, he was lay in his coffin.

"I knew this would be the last time I would see Blake, kiss him and touch his skin.

"I was screaming, shouting at him "Please Blake, please wake up for mummy.”

"Blake and Mason didn’t get a choice or a chance that day after they left their nana's, all the choices were made for them by their dad who they were both excited to see.

"He killed my precious Blake by the decisions he made on that day.

"My boys didn’t stand a chance.

"Now I live in a continuous nightmare that I’m yet to wake from.

"Mason has lost his best friend and I have lost my beautiful son, and the life and love I once had." 

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