A dangerous driver who killed a dad-to-be on the M6 has had his jail sentence increased by three years. John Frazer Yates, 28, reached an estimated 128 mph on the M6 in a stretch which had a 50 mph limit due to roadworks when the fatal crash happened.
Yates of no fixed abode, has had his original prison term quashed and will now serve 11 years and three months in jail after the Court of Appeal determined his initial sentence was unduly lenient. The court heard that at just after midnight on November 15th 2022, Yates was travelling northbound on the M6 motorway, between junction 20., Lymm and 21, Thelwall, near Warrington.
Temporary roadworks, which had a speed limit of 50 mph, forced Yates to move into a single lane of traffic. But due to the excessive speed Yates was travelling at, which experts calculated to be 128 mph, he collided with a vehicle driven by a third party before hitting Christopher Smith’s car.
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Yates got out of his car and fled the scene, leaving his victim for dead. He was arrested several hours later and refused to provide his details or a breath sample. Once Yates was taken to the hospital, he failed to provide a blood sample. Mr Smith, 41, had left work early that day so that he could spend time with his heavily pregnant wife.
The Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, said: “John Frazer Yates was travelling at dangerously excessive speeds and through his reckless actions caused the tragic death of another motorist. The offence was aggravated by him callously fleeing the scene not thinking he would be picked up by the CCTV cameras.
“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Christopher Smith’s family and I welcome the court’s decision to extend Yates’ sentence in what were truly tragic circumstances.”
Yates pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a sample. He was sentenced to 8 years 3 months at Chester Crown Court on 20 January 2023. Yates was also banned from driving for 12.5 years
His sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient and on Thursday 20 April, the court increased Yates sentence to 11 years 3 months.
The incident involved three vehicles, a black Peugeot 107, a Peugeot 307 and a white Volkswagen Scirocco driven by Yates. Mr Smith, who was driving the Peugeot 107 from St Helens, died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision.
Paying tribute to him, the family of Mr Smith said: “Christopher was a loving son, brother and uncle, and he was devoted to his partner Mandy. The couple were awaiting the arrival of their first child, and Christopher was extremely excited about the prospect of becoming a father himself.
“Christopher was very close to his family, and nothing was ever too much trouble for him in regard to his friends. He loved to spend time with Mandy and working to provide for her, and also enjoyed watching and playing football.
“Christopher will always be remembered for his great sense of humour. Following his death Christopher has donated his organs so that others can live on.”
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