Drug-driver who left his passenger to die after Grimsargh high-speed crash has been jailed for five years

Sean Harrison Dowbekin (left) has been jailed for five years after the crash in 2018. Jake Beatty (right) sadly died a month later Pic: Preston Police

A drug-driver who crashed his car at speed and fled the scene, leaving his front seat passenger with serious injuries that he later died from, has been jailed for five years.

Emergency services were called to Preston Road in Grimsargh, at 6am on 24 November 2018, after an Audi A3 S Line being driven by defendant Sean Harrison Dowbekin had left the carriageway, overturned and collided with a lamppost.

Dowbekin’s passenger, 23-year-old Jake Beatty from Longridge, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital. Jake sadly died with his family at his bedside on Christmas Eve, 2018.

Dowbekin was arrested later on the day of the crash in Mersey Street in Longridge, following information received by the public. He was found to be more than seven times over the limit for drugs (Benzoylecgonine – the main metabolite of cocaine).

Dowbekin, 27, of Preston Road, Ribchester, appeared at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 3 August), where he was convicted of causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit of drugs.

As well as being given the custodial sentence, Dowbekin was given a five-year driving ban which will start when he is released from custody.

Insp Andy Trotter, of Lancashire Police’s Serious Collisions Investigation Unit, said: “This collision resulted in the death of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him. My thoughts remain with Jake’s family at this time.

“Dowbekin’s behaviour on that day was selfish and shameful, choosing to leave Jake seriously injured rather than face the consequences of his actions.

“Lancashire Police are committed to keeping the roads of the county safe and bringing those who put the lives of others at risk by drug-driving to justice. I hope this case and its tragic consequences makes others think twice before getting behind the wheel when they are in no fit state to do so either through drugs or alcohol.”

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