A man who caused a fatal accident by reckless driving and abandoned his critically injured girlfriend at the scene has been apprehended driving again after being released from prison. Nathan Towers, 33, was responsible for the death of Jess Waterman, a 20-year-old from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, who tragically passed away in the hospital less than 24 hours after the incident in February 2022. Towers, from Broadoaks, Epping, was convicted of careless driving, perverting the course of justice, and fraud, resulting in a prison sentence of four years and three months in June 2023.
Despite being disqualified, Towers was caught driving on the A127 in Southend on March 4, leading to a six-month prison term handed down at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on March 5. In addition to the prison sentence, he was banned from driving for six months and 21 days, and ordered to pay £85 in costs along with a £154 victim surcharge.
Following his re-arrest, Jess’ family expressed their dismay at Towers’ reckless behavior, highlighting their belief that he poses a severe danger on the road. Detective Inspector Mark Fraser of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit condemned Towers for fleeing the accident scene, emphasizing the justice served for his actions through his guilty plea and subsequent sentencing.
The Waterman family memorialized Jess as a compassionate and lively individual who touched many lives, lamenting the irreplaceable loss they continue to endure. Their ongoing advocacy for stricter penalties against unlicensed driving has garnered support from local MP Josh Dean, who echoes their call for harsher consequences to prevent unlicensed drivers from endangering lives on the road.
Mr. Dean, the Labour MP for Hertford and Stortford, emphasized the necessity of stringent penalties to deter individuals like Towers from causing fatalities while driving without a valid license.
