Driver admits causing death while drunk driving

5 days ago

News image — Ashley Quinton pleaded guilty to causing the death of 18-year-old Tyler Durn

Gloucestershire Police A police mugshot of Ashley Quinton. He has blue, bloodshot eyes, a moustache, a beard and short brown hair. — Ashley Quinton pleaded guilty to causing the death of 18-year-old Tyler Durn

A man who was driving while he was double the legal limit for alcohol has admitted causing the death of an 18-year-old motorcyclist in a crash.

Ashley Quinton, 38, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday to causing the death of Tyler Durn by driving without due care and attention while over the limit.

The court was told that when Quinton was breathalysed, he had 76 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath - the legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: "Quinton should never have been driving, and we urge people not to get behind the wheel after drinking any amount of alcohol, as there can be catastrophic consequences."

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On 19 May 2023, Quinton was driving a Vauxhall Vivaro van when he crashed into Durn's motorcyle on Ermin Street in Brockworth, the court was told.

It was heard in court how at the time of the collision, Durn had been travelling between 66mph and 76mph on a road which had a legal limit of 30mph.

Emergency services pronounced the teenager dead at the scene.

Gloucestershire Police Tyler Durn is wearing a red and white shirt and is sat by the sea at a restaurant table looking into the camera. He has short dark hair, short facial hair and an earring in one ear. — Emergency services pronounced Tyler Durn dead at the scene on 19 May, 2023

Judge Rupert Lowe said the tragedy unfolded because Quinton drove "carelessly" when he "shouldn't have been driving at all".

"This is an extremely sensitive matter because the fact is that a man has died, with all the devastation that brings to bear on all those who loved him," he said.

"It has been calculated that Mr Durn was himself doing more than double the speed limit, and undoubtedly that would have been a contributing factor both to the collision and to the tragic result."

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson added: "Nothing will bring Tyler back, but I welcome Quinton's admission of guilt, which saves Tyler's family from going through a trial."

Quinton, from Gloucestershire, was released on conditional bail and is due to be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on 6 March.

He was disqualified from driving ahead of the sentencing hearing.

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