Driver admits killing 'lifelong friends', 20, in horror crash on shopping trip

13 February 2024 , 12:20

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Rebecca Doughty (left) and Ellie Crossley died in a road accident near Capenhurst, Cheshire (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The driver of a BMW who killed two lifelong friends on their way home from Christmas shopping is set to be sentenced after admitting death by dangerous driving.

Ellie Crossley and Rebecca Doughty, both 20, were travelling back to North Wales in a silver Citroen near Chester in November 2021 when they were hit by a BMW driven by Benjamin Lewis. The two women died together in the tragedy while Lewis, 30, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after he was cut free from the wreckage.

In October last year he entered guilty pleas at Chester Crown Court to death by careless driving but denied charges of death by dangerous driving. The prosecution did not accept the defendant's guilty pleas to the lesser charge and a five-day trial was listed for September 23. But at a pre-trial review hearing at Chester Crown Court, Lewis changed his pleas to guilty to the more serious charge. He is to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on April 29 and was handed unconditional bail until that date.

The lifelong friends had been on a Christmas shopping trip (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Ellie Crossley died with her friend (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

A tribute from the girls' families from the time of the tragedy said: "Ellie Crossley, from Holywell, and Rebecca Doughty, of Connah's Quay, were lifelong friends. The girls, both aged 20, were travelling home from a Christmas shopping trip when they were tragically involved in a fatal road traffic collision.

"Both families, and their friends, have been left truly devastated by this tragic event and will sadly miss them. Close friends for their short lives, they will be in our hearts forever."

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