Driver jailed for fatal collision in Cotesbach

An investigation led by specialist officers into a collision which killed an 18-year-old girl and left three others injured has led to the driver being jailed for 10 years.

Jack Reape was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 24 July) after pleading guilty in May to one count of causing death by driving while disqualified, one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and must sit an extended retest.

On Friday 15 December 2023, the 31-year-old of Townley Road, Wakefield, was driving a Citroen C3 on the A426 Rugby Road in Cotesbach towards Coventry when he drove into the path on an oncoming car – resulting in a head-on collision.

The front seat passenger, 18-year-old Chloe Pearson, sustained a serious head injury in the incident and died in hospital on Sunday 17 December.

Chloe’s twin sister, Abigale Pearson, was a backseat passenger in the car and also suffered life threatening injuries, including internal bleeding and a fracture to her collarbone.

Reape too suffered serious injuries and spent many weeks in hospital. There were also two other passengers in the car who sustained minor injuries.

The two people in the car hit by Reape – a Mercedes CLK – both suffered serious life changing injuries which still affects their mobility.

At the time of the collision Reape was disqualified from driving and held an expired provisional licence only.

Abigale Pearson (left) and her sister Chloe

Specialist investigation builds full picture

From the outset, highly trained officers from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) were deployed to the scene.

As part of the initial stages of the investigation, collision investigators undertook a detailed forensic examination of the road and vehicles, carefully documenting the scene and preserving key evidence.

Using specialist techniques – including scene mapping, vehicle damage analysis and reconstruction, along with witness accounts, they were able to evidence that Reape had driven across the central line in the road and into the path of the oncoming vehicle and was therefore at fault for the collision.

Detective Constable Charlotte Wright, the officer in the case from the SCIU, said:

“This was a deeply tragic incident which has had a devastating and lasting impact on multiple people.

“Reape should never have been behind the wheel. He was disqualified from driving and held only an expired provisional licence.

“His actions resulted in the death of an 18-year-old woman who had her whole life ahead of her and left several others with serious injuries.

“Abigale not only suffered physical injuries but has also had to endure the unimaginable loss of her twin sister. Our thoughts remain with her and the rest of the family.

“This investigation has taken more than two and a half years to complete. Thanks to the work of specialist officers and the strength of evidence gathered, Reape pleaded guilty and spared those involved the added distress of a trial.

“I hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that dangerous driving can have.

When you get behind the wheel, you carry a responsibility not only for your own safety, but for those travelling with you and also other road users.”

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Leicestershire Police News - Published: 15:32 24/07/2026