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Death crash teen banned
A NEW driver who lost control of his car in Chatsworth Park - killing his friend - has escaped with a one-year ban and community service.
Kurtis Alsop, aged 19, had only been driving for seven months when he lost control on a bend and ended up rolling his car.
Passenger Ashleigh Chapman, aged 21, of Spencer Avenue, Woodthorpe, Mastin Moor, was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown out of the car.
Two passengers, who were wearing seatbelts, survived the smash in the Renault Clio as it was travelling along the B6012, through Chatsworth Estate, last September.
Alsop, of Hill Top, Bolsover, admitting causing death by careless driving.
Helen Griffiths, prosecuting, told Chesterfield magistrates the novice driver and three pals had been swimming in the river and were on their way to buy food when the accident happened.
Alsop was driving through Chatsworth estate at around 40mph and his friends who survived the collision told police they had not been concerned about his driving.
They said they were shocked by the fact that the car had spun out of control.
A police investigation concluded Alsop was driving too fast for the bend and then over-corrected his steering, added Mrs Griffiths.
District Judge Andrew Davison sentenced Alsop, who had no previous convictions, to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, with £85 costs.
In addition to a one-year driving ban he must pass an extended driving test before applying for another full licence.
Mr Davison said Ashleigh Chapman’s failure to wear a seat belt was a factor in him suffering fatal injuries and the driver had stayed at the scene and shown genuine remorse following the smash.
“It was a momentary lapse of concentration. The driver’s inexperience led to the accident. There was no tomfoolery or racing or any particular distraction,” said Laurinda Bower, for Alsop.
“Passengers said they had travelled with him before and were always content with his driving, as they were on this occasion.
“He wasn’t speeding. He misjudged the bend. He stayed at the scene and assisted the authorities as much as he could and he showed remorse.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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