Driver jailed after fatal road race crash

Andrew Skinner has been jailed for 21 months and banned from driving for four years and 10 months for causing a fatal crash on the A43 in October 2021

A man has been jailed for causing a fatal crash during a "race" with another car on a major road.

Andrew Ryan Skinner, 31, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and banned from driving for four years and 10 months after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving.

The collision, which took place in October 2021 on the A43 towards Corby, resulted in the death of a 27-year-old, named by Northamptonshire Police as Paulo Carneiro - and left another man in his 50s with life-changing injuries.

Skinner, of Clun Walk in Corby, was retried at Northampton Crown Court in June after a previous jury failed to reach a verdict.

The court heard that just after midday on 30 October 2021, Skinner's blue Seat Leon was seen racing next to Mr Carneiro's blue Honda near the junction with Weekley Wood Avenue.

'Completely avoidable'

Mr Carneiro's vehicle lost control, crossed the central reservation, and struck an oncoming Volkswagen Golf.

Mr Carneiro was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry with serious injuries but died two days later.

The driver of the Golf was also injured and later told the court the incident had a devastating effect on him physically and emotionally.

Skinner was found not guilty of three more serious offences, including causing death by dangerous driving.

Det Sgt Sebastian Greschner, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "This was a completely avoidable collision on our roads, which has left an innocent member of the public with life-changing injuries and another family without their loved one.

"I am pleased to see Skinner dealt with robustly by the court and can say our roads are a safer place without him on them."