A 19-year-old from Sheffield, England, has been sentenced to five years in prison after causing the death of his best friend in a high-speed car crash just one day after passing his driving test.
Corey Owen-Cooper pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to causing the death of 17-year-old Joshua Atkins, according to a South Yorkshire Police news release. The fatal accident took place on Nov. 11, 2023, when Owen-Cooper was driving approximately 53 mph in a 20 mph zone. Atkins succumbed to his injuries three days later.
Police said Owen-Cooper was “embracing his new-found freedom” after earning his license and had been driving a relative’s Fiat Punto around the city, stopping to meet friends at various locations. Witnesses later reported that he had been “performing donuts and driving at high speeds” before losing control of the car. One witness described his behavior as “alarming,” saying he “thinks he has nine lives.”
During the crash, Atkins was in the front passenger seat and another friend, Gabriel Wiggett, was seated in the back. Owen-Cooper misjudged a bend, left the road, and hit a barrier, flipping the car onto its roof. While Owen-Cooper escaped, both passengers were trapped. Bystanders stopped to help, performing CPR on Atkins until emergency responders arrived. Atkins died in the hospital three days later, while Wiggett sustained serious injuries and required extensive treatment.
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A police investigation determined that excessive speed caused the crash. Footage presented in court showed warning lights illuminated on the car’s dashboard, though mechanical issues did not contribute to the collision, according to the BBC.
Inspector Kieran Frain of the Serious Collisions Unit said after sentencing, “While today’s decision may bring some closure, it doesn’t bring Josh back. Three families’ lives were changed forever that night. Corey will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.”
In addition to his prison term, Owen-Cooper was banned from driving for seven years and three months and must pass an extended test before regaining his license.
Following his death, Atkins saved four lives through organ donation — his heart went to a man in his 40s, his liver to a man in his 50s, and his kidneys to a man and woman in their 20s, per the BBC.
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Atkins’ family released a statement urging young drivers to understand the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel. His aunt, Claire Chapman, said outside court, “Today marks the end of a painful chapter in our lives, but not the end of our grief. Josh was taken from us in the most senseless way — killed by dangerous driving that should never have happened.”
“No amount of time that Corey spends in prison will ever bring Josh back,” the family said, “but we hope Josh’s death and this sentence will serve as a deterrent. Remember, speed kills — getting behind the wheel of a car is like holding a loaded gun. We urge everyone, young and old, to drive responsibly.”
In a victim impact statement, Chapman described Atkins as “a vibrant and confident young man” who was “cheeky, funny, friendly, and kind with an infectious energy.” She added, “Losing Josh has been utterly earth-shattering for all his family, especially his parents and sister. We will never be the same.”
