Drink driver who killed friend in high-speed collision jailed

 

Stephen Cliff had been out drinking in Durham City with Stephen Bonallie, on December 30, 2022, when the pair got into Cliff’s Audi A4 in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.

 

Minutes later Cliff was caught on CCTV dangerously overtaking another vehicle at 66mph in a 40mph zone on the A167.

 

The 40-year-old, of Witton Gilbert, lost control of the car and subsequently hit a tree.

 

The impact was so great that Mr Bonallie, 32, died at the scene.

 

Cliff, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the car and his injuries were so catastrophic that he was not expected to survive.

 

However, several months later Cliff was able to be discharged from hospital and was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

 

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

 

He was also disqualified from driving for 15 years and four months.

 

The majority of road deaths are a result of the Fatal Four: speeding, not wearing seatbelts, drink/drug driving, and using a mobile phone at the wheel. Please don’t take the risk. It’s not worth it.