A man who killed his friend in a horrific 76mph crash in Staffordshire has been jailed for over seven years. David Barker, 27, was driving on High Street, Wolstanton, in June last year when he lost control of a Skoda Octavia and crashed.
The impact threw Barker's friend, Steven Field, 40, out of the sunroof, causing fatal head injuries. Field was pronounced dead at the scene, while Barker fled the crash site. He later handed himself in to police and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Barker, of Weston Coyney in Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to seven years and four months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday, May 22. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and must take an extended re-test before driving again.
Following the sentencing, DC Jon Stant said: "Barker chose to drive at speed having been out drinking with Steven and another friend. It was this grossly excessive speed that caused the collision and it goes to show that speed kills."
"The collision was avoidable and although Barker had consumed alcohol and was under the drink drive limit any alcohol can affect a person's judgement. I would implore drivers to abide by the speed limits and none for the road is better than risking being affected by alcohol when driving."
"Our thoughts remain with Steven's family who are left to deal with the consequences of the poor judgments made by Barker that morning."
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police added: "A man has been jailed for over seven years after pleading guilty to causing the death of his friend in June last year. David Barker, 27, from Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to seven years and four months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday (May 22) after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving."
"He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months with a requirement to take an extended re-test before driving again. Barker was the driver of a Skoda Octavia which was travelling at speed before crashing on High Street, Wolstanton, on 15 June 2025. His passenger, Steven Field, aged 40 from Stoke on Trent, was thrown from the car and sadly died at the scene from multiple injuries."
"Barker initially fled the scene before handing himself in to police five hours later. He admitted being the driver of the car and to travelling at 76mph in a 30mph limit in the moments before the collision."
