Drivers sentenced to eight years for fatal ‘competitive racing’ crash

Two motorists received eight-year prison sentences after a fatal collision on rural roads, which resulted in the death of a teenage friend during what was described as “competitive racing.” Joshua Walker and Ty Pettinger were operating separate vehicles in a dangerous manner on the B1249 en route to Driffield, following their attendance at a car meet in Scarborough. The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of June 11, 2022, when Walker’s attempt to overtake on a bend led to the collision. The crash resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jack Stabler and caused serious injuries to two additional passengers. Mr. Stabler was seated in the rear of Walker’s Vauxhall Corsa during the event. During the sentencing at Hull Crown Court, Judge John Thackray KC stated that the defendants’ conduct had caused “lifelong grief and misery.” Walker, aged 20, from Middle Street, Kilham, and Pettinger, also 20, of Main Street, Bainton, both admitted guilt to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at the same court on Monday. Prosecutor Jeremy Evans informed the court that both individuals, who were 18 years old at the time, had previously been observed with their friends at an underground car park near Scarborough seafront, engaging in “wheel spins and handbrake turns.” Mr. Evans stated that Pettinger possessed temporary car insurance valid for a few hours, which lapsed shortly after the collision. Walker had an insurer-issued tracking device, but he knew it had ceased functioning earlier on the day of the incident. The court was informed that they were driving dangerously, repeatedly overtaking each other on the rural road. Pettinger achieved speeds of 80mph (128km/h) and Walker 70mph (112km/h), both exceeding the national speed limit. Pettinger had obtained his driving test only nine months prior to the crash, which occurred near Langtoft, whereas Walker had received his full licence in July 2021. Mr. Evans further stated, “Throughout the return journey from the village of Foxholes, both defendants were engaged in competitive driving, effectively a race to the finish line, their homes at Driffield.” He added, “Tragically, the vehicles did not reach their destination.” Mr. Stabler was declared deceased at the site of the accident, while Matthew Anderson, another passenger, sustained a collapsed lung and other injuries. Jake Pinkney, a friend who was a passenger in Pettinger’s vehicle, spent almost a month in the hospital due to a brain injury. During mitigation, the court was informed that both men had composed apologetic letters to Mr. Stabler’s family and expressed being “genuinely remorseful and devastated.” Barrister David Godfrey conveyed that Walker had written in his letter: “Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him.” Mr. Godfrey also stated: “He’s not gone behind the wheel and and driven a motor vehicle since.” Barrister Micheal Forrest reported that Pettinger, who contacted emergency services for assistance, had written in his letter: “I’m so sorry for the pain I’ve caused.” Mr. Forrest added that seeing photographs of his friend each morning and night served as a continuous reminder of his grave actions. In court, Richard Stabler, Mr. Stabler’s father, characterized his son as a well-liked and gifted footballer and advocated for more stringent regulations concerning insurance coverage for young drivers. He testified that the loss of his only child felt like a knife being “pushed through my heart” and that he was enduring “every parent’s nightmare.” Walker and Pettinger each received an eight-year prison sentence and were disqualified from driving for 12 years and four months. When delivering the sentence, Judge Thackray informed the two that their friend “had his whole life in front of him.”