Bereaved mum urges drink drivers to think twice

Harry Chapman was planning his 21st birthday celebrations on the night he was killed by a speeding drink driver

A bereaved mother has urged motorists to think twice before taking to the roads under the influence of alcohol during the Euros.

Harry Chapman, 20, died when his car was hit by a speeding drink-driver in October 2022 in Streetly in the West Midlands.

Scott Gorey, from Walsall, was jailed for 11 years and three months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Claire Chapman said: "My son's life was taken for the cost of a taxi."

In an emotive video made for West Midlands Police, she described being given a day to say goodbye to her son after he was placed in an induced coma.

"I only hope to God my son wasn't in the car petrified for what was coming towards him," she said.

Harry had been bowling with his sister and making plans to celebrate his 21st birthday on the night he was killed.

The driver who hit him was travelling at 97mph in a 30mph zone.

"My son is never coming home and the impact is forever," Ms Chapman said. "It's just like a living hell."

Claire Chapman said being without her son was a "living hell"

West Midlands Police said its officers would put on additional patrols to catch out drivers over the legal limit during Euro 2024, which starts on Friday.

Harry's preventable death was a stark reminder of the devastating impact of drink driving, officers added.

"It shatters not just the lives of victims and their families, but ripples through entire communities," said Supt Gareth Mason, head of roads policing.

Its zero-tolerance policy would see "severe consequences" for drivers who broke the law, the force added.

"Our officers will be highly visible, conducting increased patrols and checkpoints to deter and detect those who endanger others by driving under the influence," Supt Mason added.

Ms Chapman said: "If you see someone who's had too much to drink and something happens, the blood's on your hands too.

"Just take the keys off them and stop another senseless death."