Driver who killed man in red light crash jailed

Reece Fowler sped through a red light in Blackburn before killing Martyn Smith

A dangerous driver who killed a man after speeding through a red light has been jailed.

Reece Fowler, 33, had been driving at 77mph (124 km/h) in a 50mph (80 km/h) zone before he drove through a red light on the A59 in Blackburn crashing into Martyn Smith's car, Lancashire Police said.

Mr Smith, 57, who had been turning right after his light turned green, died at the scene.

Fowler, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five years at Preston Crown Court.

'Made accountable'

He was also disqualified from driving for seven years and six months, after earlier pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Lancashire Police said Fowler drove through the red light at almost 30mph (48 km/h) over the speed limit when his Citroen Dispatch van collided with Mr Smith's Ford Focus on the A59, Myerscough Smithy Road in Blackburn in February 2023.

"Fowler drove dangerously directly through a red light at almost 30 mph over the speed limit, colliding with a car and killing the driver," Det Sgt Joseph Ghigi said.

“Whilst no sentence will ever be enough to make up for the loss of life, I welcome the fact that Fowler has been given a custodial sentence and been made accountable for his actions."