A British teenager has been sentenced to five years in prison after a high-speed crash killed his 17-year-old best friend, just one day after he passed his driving test. The case, detailed by South Yorkshire Police, reached its conclusion at Sheffield Crown Court on November 7, two years after the fatal collision.
Corey Owen-Cooper, now 19, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Joshua Atkins, who died three days after the crash that occurred on November 11, 2023. Investigators determined that Owen-Cooper was traveling at approximately 53 mph on a road limited to 20 mph when he lost control of the vehicle.
What Happened In The Crash
According to authorities, Owen-Cooper had been embracing his newfound freedom after successfully passing his driving test the day before. On the night of the crash, he was out in a relative’s Fiat Punto, meeting friends and making stops around the city, including a nearby parking lot where several teens had gathered.
Witnesses at that location told police that Owen-Cooper was driving at high speeds and performing donuts in a manner that alarmed bystanders. One witness reportedly feared for their safety and described the teen as someone who ‘thinks he has nine lives,’ underscoring the risky behavior observed before the crash.
At the time of the collision, Atkins was seated in the front passenger seat, while friend Gabriel Wiggett was in the back. As Owen-Cooper attempted to navigate a bend, he misjudged the turn, left the carriageway, and struck roadside barriers. The car flipped onto its roof, trapping both passengers inside.
Owen-Cooper was able to exit the vehicle and, in the immediate aftermath, was heard saying, “I think I have killed him … I have killed my best friend.” Passing drivers stopped to help, and after discovering that Atkins was not breathing, they initiated CPR in an effort to save his life until emergency services arrived.
Both Atkins and Wiggett were taken to the hospital. Despite extensive efforts, Atkins died from his injuries three days later at just 17 years old. Wiggett sustained serious injuries that required significant hospital treatment during his recovery.
The Court’s Sentence & Driving Ban
South Yorkshire Police’s Serious Collisions Unit launched a comprehensive investigation and concluded that Owen-Cooper lost control of the Fiat Punto due to excessive speed. As a result, he was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
In addition to the five-year prison sentence handed down at Sheffield Crown Court, Owen-Cooper was disqualified from driving for seven years and three months. He will also be required to complete an extended retest before he can legally drive again, a measure designed to ensure that high-risk drivers demonstrate improved competence and judgment before returning to the road.
The length of the driving ban means the disqualification will extend beyond Owen-Cooper’s release from prison, reflecting the serious nature of the offense and the wider public safety considerations involved in cases of fatal dangerous driving.
Police Statement & A Reminder On Road Safety
Following the sentencing, Serious Collisions Unit Inspector Kieran Frain addressed the court’s decision and the profound impact of the tragedy. “While today’s sentencing will hopefully bring closure to Josh’s family and end a two-year investigation, it doesn’t bring Josh back. On the 11 November 2023, three families’ lives were changed forever,” Frain said in the police statement.
He continued: “Josh’s life was taken from him, and his family will continue to grieve his loss forever, but the life of Corey Owen-Cooper will also never be the same. Corey will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.” Frain emphasized that Owen-Cooper “didn’t set out that evening to kill anyone,” but that a “lack of maturity, responsibility and an increase in risk taking” led to a preventable outcome.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about dangerous driving among newly licensed motorists, particularly when risk-taking behavior is compounded by high speeds and peer environments. Authorities reiterated the critical importance of adhering to posted speed limits—especially 20 mph zones designed for residential areas and pedestrian safety—and making sound decisions behind the wheel.
For Atkins’ family and friends, the sentence marks a legal conclusion to a devastating loss, while serving as a sobering reminder to new drivers that even brief lapses in judgment can result in irreversible consequences. As Inspector Frain noted, the effects of that single night will resonate for a lifetime across multiple families and the wider community.
