Teenager Jacob Crawshaw texted friend about colleague's driving before he died in a crash on A14

A man who caused his colleague’s death in a crash on the A14 has been jailed. Christopher Hicks was driving his work van with Jacob Crawshaw in the passenger seat when he smashed into a slower-moving lorry after failing to react to it.

He had been driving over the speed limit that applied to his van and the manner of his driving had prompted Jacob to message a friend about it, National World's sister title Northampton Chronicle reports. The crash caused catastrophic damage to the passenger side of the van killing 19-year-old Jacob, from St Neots, instantly at about 4.50am on October 17, 2021.

Hicks, of Andrew Road in Eynesbury, had denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and went on to admit the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving. Last week at Northampton Crown Court the 44-year-old was jailed for 30 weeks and banned from driving for 30 years and 15 weeks.

During the sentencing hearing, Jacob’s father James read a moving victim personal statement in which he described the devastating impact of the loss of his ‘amazing’ son on his family and friends. He said: “On that Sunday morning police officers arrived to tell that us Jacob had been killed at the scene of a road traffic collision. I fell to my knees as my world crumbled before me in disbelief and immense pain.

"Our lives were turned upside down in an instant and nothing prepared us for the heartache, anguish, grief, disbelief, anger, distress and trauma we felt. Our perfect family of five has been torn apart by the loss of our amazing Jakey…we are cruelly taunted by anniversaries, Christmases, New Years, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, family and friends’ birthdays. The knowledge of his absence…cuts deep like a gaping wound.”

After Jacob’s death his parents released a tribute to their son, saying his world had revolved around his family and friends as well as his love of sport, in particular football. Luton Town fans also held a minute-long applause in memory of their fellow fan.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Janette Maitland, of the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Jacob Crawshaw was a much-loved young man with a bright future ahead of him, but that future was snatched away by the failure of Christopher Hicks to drive safely and responsibly. That October morning he was driving over the speed limit that applied to his work van, and the concerning manner of his driving before the collision prompted Jacob to message a friend about it.

“Just 10 minutes later, Hicks failed to see the lorry he was approaching, take any safe avoiding action or even to brake before he hit it, and Jacob paid for this with his life. I would like to thank Jacob’s family for their support during our investigation, and I very much hope that they and his wide circle of friends can take some small comfort from knowing Hicks has admitted responsibility for the devastation he has caused and will spend time in prison as a result.”