Nottinghamshire man admits causing crash that killed friend

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-32913860

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A man who lost control of his pick-up truck, killing a friend, has been sentenced to 14 months in a young offenders' institute.

Benjamin Huddlestone, 20, was driving friends home from a night out when the crash happened near Retford, Nottinghamshire, in October 2013.

Thomas Chambler, 18, was in the cargo area when the truck overturned. He died at the scene.

Huddlestone admitted causing death by careless driving.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Huddlestone's truck crashed on the A638 Great North Road, south of Retford.

Mr Chambler, who was in the cargo area with the vehicle's metal shutters rolled over him, suffered multiple injuries.

Police said Mr Chambler had been travelling in the cargo area for the entire five-mile journey, before the crash.

Det Sgt James Greely said: "This is a particularly tragic case where an error of judgement and losing control of the vehicle has cost the life of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him."

Huddlestone, of Mark Lane, East Markham, had initially pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving but changed his plea on Tuesday.

He was disqualified from driving for four years.