Lee Stoodley, Gielgud Close, Burnham-on-Sea, jailed for crash at Dunball in 2015 which killed Lewis Rogers

Lee Stoodley, 33, of Gielgud Close, Burnham, was behind the wheel when he failed to negotiate a roundabout on the A38 Bristol Road at Dunball on December 20, 2015.

He then crashed the BMW car into a tree.

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The crash left his two back seat passengers with serious injuries, and one of them - Lewis Rogers, 24- died at the scene. 

CRASH: Lewis Rogers, 24, who worked in Highbridge, died at the scene of the crash.

Stoodley was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court yesterday, (March 28), after being convicted of death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

A second man, Christopher Hampton, 31, has previously admitted drink driving and aiding and abetting Stoodley drink driving.

He is due to be sentenced on April 20.

PC Andy Grigg said: “Our thoughts remain with all of the families involved in this tragedy.

"Lewis’ family have had to not only endure losing a son and friend but also had to wait over a year for justice.

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“Stoodley got behind the wheel of the car knowing he had consumed excess alcohol.

“He then drove recklessly, endangering those in his vehicle and other members of the public.

“I hope this acts as a stark warning to anyone thinking about driving after consuming alcohol – that decision can take a life.”

Mr Rogers was a passenger in the back seat when the BMW driven by Lee Stoodley careered off the road at Dunball Roundabout, colliding with a tree at high speed.

Mr Rogers' friend Dan Reed suffered life-changing injuries in the crash which left him paralysed from the neck down.
Stoodley, 33 of Gielgud Close, Burnham had been attending a Somerlap

Christmas Party on the night of the crash with the owner of the car Christopher Hampton, of Riverstone, West Huntspill.

Summarising the evidence to the jury on Tuesday, March 28 at Taunton Crown Court, Judge David Evans said: "Christopher Hampton drove the BMW from his home address to the Bristol Bridge Inn where he had one or two ciders before taking a taxi to the the Christmas party at the Oak Tree Arena in Highbridge."
Hampton and Stoodley were attending the Somerlap Christmas party where they met Lee Rogers, a former Somerlap employee and his friend Dan Reed, who they knew through 5-a-side football.

The four proceeded to drink from the open bar until 10pm and then following discussion decided to continue partying by heading to the Palace Nightclub in Bridgwater, Judge Evans said.

Despite having six to eight drinks including Thatchers and Jagerbombs, Hampton decided to take a taxi to pick up his car from the Bristol Bridge Inn before heading to give a lift to his three friends at the Oak Tree Arena.

"He picked them up and they went toward Bridgwater. Hampton then pulled into the industrial estate for a wee," Judge Evans said.

When he returned to the car Hampton said Stoodley was in the driving seat, and Hampton was feeling too drunk so was 'happy to let him carry on with the driving'.

The court heard that Stoodley proceeded to drive, taking on erratic overtaking and speeding before approaching the Dunball roundabout.

"The next thing I knew we had hit the kerb. I was thrown against the seatbelt and hit my head hard on the ceiling," Hampton said.

Judge Evans explained that police officer Lauren Hill was the first on the scene where she found Hampton and Stoodely, both of whom had shown obvious signs they had been drinking.

She said Hampton was in tears when he realised someone had died while Stoodley remained calm as they were taken to Bridgwater Police Station.

Forensic Pathologist Russell Delaney was an expert witness who gave evidence stating that the bruising to Lee Stoodley and Christopher Hampton the following day might indicate that Stoodley was the driver due to the location of the driver's seatbelt.

As well as his 11 year prison sentence, Stoodley was also banned from driving for 10 and a half years.

RELATED: Death at Dunball: man dies in horror crash at A38 roundabout