A MAN who engaged in a "grotesque piece of driving" while drunk and high on drugs, which ended in a head-on collision on the M62, has been jailed for nine years and four months.

Taryl Moxam, 23, of Barlborough, Derbyshire, admitted driving his car the wrong way up a slip road on the M62 at Chain Bar before crashing into a vehicle carrying two men - best friends Adam Afsar and Jason Wilby - killing the pair in the early hours of April 2, 2018

The 23-year-old, from Barlborough in Derbyshire had been on a night out in Leeds and had planned to stay at a hotel in the city, but after an argument in the early hours of April 2, 2018, he got into his car and drove out of the city.

He drove for half an hour, heading towards Brighouse before turning back, veering onto the wrong side of the road, before turning onto the westbound exit slip road at Chain Bar in the wrong direction.

He travelled 650 metres up the slip road before smashing head-on into the car carrying Mr Afsar and Mr Wilby at around 2.30am.

The best friends, from Dewsbury, were driving from Colchester to Oldham to deliver a pet. Father-of-two Mr Afsar worked as a delivery driver, and Mr Wilby had gone along to keep him company.

Moxam was found to be twice the legal limit for drugs and cannabis, and said he had no idea why he decided to drive that night.
CCTV footage shown in court showed Moxam driving on the wrong side of the road along Whitehall Road, and it is thought he drove around Chain Bar roundabout the wrong way before pulling onto the M62.

Prosecutor Michael Smith said a witness described the weather that night as raining and sleeting, and Moxam appeared "vacant and oblivious to what he was doing".

Emotional statements read by the mothers of the deceased in court explained the pain felt by the families, with the entire family of Mr Afsar having to receive counselling.

Jason Wilby's mother's statement was read on her behalf by Mr Smith.

She said: "This is like nothing I have ever known, it is the worst thing that could have happened, I feel empty.

"Jason was a gentle giant, he loved helping people, and his death has devastated everyone.

"I still cannot believe he is gone and I will never cuddle him again."

Adam Afsar's mother said her entire family have needed counselling since the "tragic, mindless act of carelessness", and her son's children have "crumbled and become different people" since his death.

She said: "He was the only reason I got out of bed on a morning.

"I pray to die in my sleep to be by my son's side. Life without Adam will never be the same, life has no meaning to me now."

Moxam initially denied being the driver, but later admitted to police he had been driving the car and said he was "devastated by his actions" and was remorseful but knew his apologies would provide little comfort for the families of the deceased.

Judge David Hatton QC said: "This was a grotesque piece of driving. You chose to drive after consuming alcohol, and you were twice the legal limit.
"It was clear your driving was impaired, and inexplicably you found yourself travelling in the wrong direction on the M62 in the face of oncoming traffic.
"The consequence of that was the loss of two young lives, the responsibility for which you must bear for the remainder of yours. The loss and anguish of the families of those two is immeasurable."

Detective Sergeant Carl Quinn, of the Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “This was a tragic incident in which two men lost their lives.

"The deaths of Mr Afsar and Mr Wilby were completely preventable. Moxam‘s actions that day were nothing less than absurd, his senseless decision to get behind the wheel and drive resulted in utter devastation for the families of these two young men, tragically cutting their lives short.

“No sentence will ever be enough for their families, however I hope the result of today’s hearing offers some comfort to Adam and Jason’s loved ones.

"This upsetting case highlights the dreadful consequences that driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs can have.”