Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. HOME News Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Comment Finance Travel Entertainment Life & Style UK Politics Royal US World Science Weather Weird History Nature Sunday InYourArea Richard Allen was driving a Ford Fiesta when it hit the Wall Island roundabout in Lichfield just two days before Christmas last year. He was declared dead on the scene. 22:24, Tue, Nov 7, 2023 | UPDATED: 22:51, Tue, Nov 7, 2023
Marius Mihai has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving (Image: Staffordshire Police)
A man has been jailed after killing a groom-to-be by dangerous driving following a horror crash in Staffordshire.
Richard Allen was driving a Ford Fiesta when it hit the Wall Island roundabout in Lichfield just two days before Christmas last year. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 33-year-old, who was from Lichfield, was due to get married on New Year’s Eve – just eight days after the crash. And now Marius Mihai, from Walsall, has been jailed for nine years for causing death by dangerous driving, reported Birmingham Live.
He was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash just after 10.20pm on December 23, and was also on a WhatsApp phone call.
The 36-year-old, from Walsall, was travelling in a VW Passat is excess of 110mph immediately before the crash, police have said.
He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in an earlier appearance and was sentenced to nine years and eight months behind bars at Stafford Crown Court on Monday, November 6. He was also banned from driving for 137 months.
PC Matt Brailsford, from the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Mihai drove at a dangerous speed, whilst intoxicated and whilst using his mobile phone. If he was driving responsibly, this avoidable incident wouldn’t have happened.
“His actions have devastated the family of Richard and our thoughts are still very much with them as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss. No sentence will ever be sufficient for the family but I hope that Mihai understands that his actions have consequences, and in this case, tragic ones.
Richard Allen (Image: Staffordshire Police)
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading”Speed, alcohol and mobile phone use are three of the four main reasons for fatal collisions. I would implore people to ensure they drive safely and responsibly so that families like that of Mr Allen do not have their lives destroyed.”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police added: “The driver of the Fiesta, Richard Allen from Lichfield, who was 33 at the time, sadly died at the scene. He was due to get married on New Year’s Eve. Mihai was arrested in connection with the incident and questioned in custody.
“Specialist officers analysed CCTV footage and found that he was driving on the A5 in excess of 110mph immediately before the collision happened. Mihai was also under the influence of alcohol and engaged in a video WhatsApp call at the point of the collision.”
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