The joy of getting a driver’s license and being able to drive the person you love turns into incredible sadness. On November 11, 2023, a day after acquiring the prized sesame seeds, Corey Owen-Cooper, then 17 years old, traveled through the English city of Sheffield by car with two friends to celebrate the event. Driving at high speed, the group had an accident which claimed the life of one of them, Joshua Atkins.
That day, the young driver drove more than 85 km on a road with a speed limit of 30 km/h. He lost control at a corner, hit the barrier which caused the Fiat Punto to overturn. Owen-Cooper was able to get out of the vehicle, but Josh and Gabriel were trapped, police said in a statement. Another passing motorist stopped to help and, after realizing that Josh was no longer breathing, began massaging his heart to try to save it. »
“Live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life”
“I thought I killed him… I killed my best friend,” Corey Owen-Cooper said immediately after the crash, according to witnesses. Seriously injured, Joshua Atkins, who was also 17 at the time, was taken to hospital. He died three days later from his injuries. The passengers in the back survived, but suffered serious impacts from the accident.
Almost two years after the incident, on November 7, Corey Owen-Cooper was sentenced to 5 years in prison by a Sheffield court, reports the BBC. He was also banned from driving for 7 years and had to take back his driving license. “While the sentence handed down today will hopefully bring peace to the family (…), it will not bring Josh back,” replied Inspector Kieran Frain. And to emphasize: “Corey will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. »
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The family of Joshua Atkins hopes this tragedy will make “young drivers aware of the level of responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel and on the road.” “Remember, speed is deadly and getting behind the wheel is like holding a gun,” he said. We urge everyone, young and old, to drive safely. »
The only consolation for his loved ones: the death of a teenager described as “joyful, sociable and generous” allowed four lives to be saved thanks to organ donation. His heart was transplanted, as were his liver and kidneys.
