Driver killed motorcyclist after taking cocaine

A dangerous driver who was on cocaine when he lost control of his car and killed a motorcyclist has been sentenced to six years in jail.

Joshua Smith, 31, of Holloway in Pershore, Worcestershire, was speeding in an unroadworthy BMW 1 Series when he hit two motorcyclists on the other side of the road.

The crash, on the A4538 Pershore Lane on 15 August 2024, killed grandfather Andrew Hirons, 52, and seriously injured a second person.

Prior to sentencing, Smith had been convicted at Worcester Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

During Thursday's sentencing hearing, Smith was also disqualified from driving for eight years.

He had been travelling from junction 6 of the M5 in wet conditions when he lost control on a bend, West Mercia Police said.

His car entered the opposing carriageway and first struck a red Triumph Bonneville motorbike, causing its rider "life-changing injuries".

It then collided with Hirons' grey Yamaha, throwing him from the bike.

Smith's BMW tested positive in a roadside drugs swipe, police said, and a blood toxicology report later showed him to have taken cocaine.

A police report stated his vehicle had dangerously defective tyres and brakes, with worn-out brake pad and treads, which could have been "a contributory factor".

Hirons, a grandfather of four, father of three and retained firefighter, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife Tracey described him a "reliable, dependable and lovable man with a heart of gold".

He had bought a motorbike for his 50th birthday and rode out as part of a meet each week.

"Andy was my whole life and father to our three children, who are all adults now, including our eldest daughter who has Down's syndrome, so the impact of his life being taken away so cruelly and suddenly has been particularly upsetting for her," Tracey said.

She added her husband of 30 years was the "life and soul of a family get together" who would help people "in their darkest times", and his loss had left her empty.

"I now must look after our daughter on my own as, even though I was her sole carer before, I no longer have Andy to support me," she added.

Det Sgt Rose Hughes, from the force's serious collision investigation unit, said: "We hope that the term handed to Smith today will go some way to seeing justice done for Andrew's family and friends."

She added Smith showed "a total disregard" for pubic safety when he drove under the influence of cocaine, "in wet conditions with barely any tread on his tyres and worn-out brakes".

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