Ashley Dean spent six hours drinking at a pub before getting behind the wheel of his Vauxhall Vivaro van on March 23, 2022.<br /><br />Driving at speeds of between 47mph and 57mph in a 30mph zone, Dean failed to negotiate a left hand bend in Blackpool Road at around 10.15pm.<br /><br />The van crossed into the opposing lane and struck the offside kerbstone before coming to a stop wedged against a lamppost.<br /><br />Lisa Birtwistle, 32, was his front seat passenger. She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.<br /><br />Dean was jailed for nine years and four months at Preston Crown Court on Friday (November 3).
