‘Strong and reliable’ father killed in crash with driver high on cocaine
The driver has been jailed
Alex Driscoll Breaking news reporter 21:27, 15 Jan 2026
View 4 ImagesAndy Hirons.(Image: West Mercia Police)
A "strong and reliable" father-of-three was killed in a crash with a driver who was high on cocaine as he drove an "unroadworthy" car.
Andy Hirons, 52 and of Evesham, was killed after he was struck by a BMW driven by Joshua Smith, 31, in Worcestershire whilst riding his motorbike on the A4538 Pershore Lane on August 15, 2024.
Smith, of Holloway, Pershore, was convicted[1] of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.
West Mercia Police[2] said Smith, who was under the influence of cocaine while driving, was driving at speed in his orange BMW 1 Series towards Pershore, away from the M5, when he lost control of his vehicle and hit two motorcyclists heading in the opposite direction.
He was sentenced to six years in jail and was disqualified from driving for eight years by Her Honour Judge Gilmore at Worcester Crown Court.
Dangerous faults found with BMW
View 4 ImagesJoshua Smith, 31.(Image: West Mercia Police)
Police said at the time of the crash there were wet conditions and Smith's car was later found to have "dangerously defective tyres and brakes".
A spokesperson for the force said: "He lost control on a bend and entered the opposing carriageway where he collided with a red Triumph Bonneville motorbike, causing life-changing injuries to the rider.
"He next struck the grey Yamaha motorbike being ridden by 52-year-old father of three and grandfather of four Andy Hirons from Evesham who was thrown from his bike.
"Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of emergency services, Mr Hirons was pronounced dead at the scene."
View 4 ImagesThe orange BMW.(Image: West Mercia Police)
Smith tested positive in a roadside drugs swipe following the crash, which was later confirmed in a blood toxicology report that showed he was over the legal limit for cocaine.
The nearside rear outer brake pad was completely worn out which resulted in the metal backing plate rubbing on the rear disc, which police said would have caused a reduced brake performance.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police added: "Both rear tyres were defective with the offside rear tyre only having a tread depth on the inner two grooves of between 0.17mm and 1.02mm and the nearside tyre of between 0.20mm and 1.6mm across all four grooves - below the legal minimum required depth of 1.6mm.
"The offside rear tyre also had a section of exposed cords on its inner edge, and the tyre wall had also started to split open.
"In wet or slippery road conditions this would give significantly less grip and could have a contributory factor in the collision, the report said."
'Andy was my whole life'
View 4 ImagesAndy Hirons.(Image: West Mercia Police)
After Smith was sentenced , Andy's wife, Tracey, paid an emotional tribute to the father of three.
She said: "Andy was a keen motorcyclist and for his 50th birthday he bought himself a motorbike and he would go to a meet once a week, especially in the summer where he made many friends - sadly these included the person who was seriously hurt in the same collision he was killed in.
"Andy was my whole life and father to our three children, who are all adults now, including our eldest daughter who has Down Syndrome, so the impact of his life being taken away so cruelly and suddenly has been particularly upsetting for her.
"This man's criminal actions have taken away the best days of our lives. We were married for 30 years and friends for even longer, so I have only spent 10 years of my life without Andy being in it.
"I now feely empty - like there is a hole in my life that can never be filled.
Our children are all devastated too - my eldest daughter lives in constant fear I won't return home if I ever go out without her.
"It is hard knowing that Andy will no longer be at my side, I have lost all confidence and don't want to go anywhere or do anything. I wouldn't wish how I feel on my worst enemy.
"Andy was the life and soul of a family get together and the sort of person you always wanted in your corner, to have your back. His loyalty and dedication were second to none.
"He was a strong, reliable, dependable and lovable man with a heart of gold.
His mind was like the font of all knowledge, and his passing has left a huge void in our lives.
"I now must look after our daughter on my own as even though I was her sole carer before, I no longer have Andy to support me. He provided for the family and now he is gone so it is a struggle without him.
"Andy had such a good life and had so much more living to do. He has missed his son's wedding and the birth of his fourth grandchild.
"A retained firefighter for eight years, he devoted so much of his life to his family and the community.
Andy would always help people in their darkest times."
"No sentence can ever compensate for the tragic loss of life"
Detective Sergeant Rose Hughes, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (South), said: "No sentence can ever compensate for the tragic loss of life in this case, but we hope that the term handed to Smith today will go some way to seeing justice done for Andrew's family and friends.
"Smith showed a total disregard for the safety of the public when he drove his car under the influence of cocaine that day, driving in wet conditions with barely any tread on his tyres and worn-out brakes.
Article continues below"We hope this sentence and the tragic outcome will teach a sobering lesson about the reason for not taking drugs before getting behind the wheel and how important it is to maintain your vehicle - especially the tyres and braking system.
"Please check your tyre pressures and tread depths weekly and make sure your car is regularly serviced too for the safety of all road users.
They really can be the difference between life and death as this case tragically shows."