Man who was double the drink drive limit pleads guilty to causing motorcyclist's death

A man who was driving while he was double the legal alcohol limit has admitted to causing the death of an 18-year-old motorcyclist in a collision.

Ashley Quinton, aged 38, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Tyler Durn by driving without due care and attention while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. 

In a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court today, Friday 9 January, it was heard that, when Quinton was breathalysed by police, he had 76 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath. 

On 19 May 2023 Quinton had been driving a Vauxhall Vivaro van at the time of the collision with Tyler, who had been riding a motorcycle, on Ermin Street in Brockworth.

Emergency services attended and Tyler (pictured below) was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Quinton was arrested at the location and, following an investigation by Gloucestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, he was charged with the offence.

It was heard in court how at the time of the collision Tyler had been travelling between 66mph and 76mph on a road which had a legal limit of 30mph. 

His Honour Judge Rupert Lowe said: "This is an extremely sensitive matter because the fact is that a man has died, with all the devastation that brings to bear on all those who loved him.

"He died because [Quinton] drove carelessly and when he shouldn’t have been driving at all, because he was way over the limit, and that’s the bottom line.

"It has been calculated that Mr Durn was himself doing more than double the speed limit, and undoubtedly that would have been a contributing factor both to the collision and to the tragic result."

Judge Lowe spoke directly to Tyler's family in court and offered his condolences.

Quinton, who is from Gloucestershire, was released on conditional bail and is due to be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on 6 March. During today's hearing he was disqualified from driving.

Following the hearing, Sergeant Williams from Gloucestershire Police's Serious Collision Investigation Team said: "This is a tragic case in which an 18-year-old has died.

"Quinton should never have been driving, and we urge people not to get behind the wheel after drinking any amount of alcohol, as there can be catastrophic consequences.

"Nothing will bring Tyler back, but I welcome Quinton's admission of guilt, which saves Tyler's family from going through a trial."