CCTV footage shows killer driver drinking in Newcastle city centre hours before fatal crash

Ross Neville, 35, was drinking with friend Matthew Newton at Stack in Newcastle before driving back to Carlisle and crashing into a barrier on the A69 at over 100mph

16:00, 25 Mar 2026

A video released by police has shown the run-up and aftermath of a high-speed crash for which a man has been jailed for almost 12 years. Ross Neville, 35, was doing 106mph in a Ford Ranger Raptor pickup[1] seconds before crashing into a barrier on the A69 near Throckley[2] on November 28, 2024.

His passenger, Matthew Newton, 28, from Carlisle[3], died instantly after suffering severe head and facial injuries. Neville, 35, of Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway, was jailed for 11 years and 11 months at Newcastle Crown Court[4] on Wednesday.

A video shows snippets of the hours before the crash, where the pair had been drinking together in Newcastle city centre[5].

It also shows the aftermath of the crash, and the 999 call of HGV driver Sarah Cochrane, who came across the collision minutes after Neville overtook her vehicle in the high-powered pick up truck.

Greg Huntley of Northumbria Police's[6] Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This was a shocking incident - with Neville driving so dangerously and recklessly that he killed his friend Matthew. Worse still, he has then went on to tell the HGV driver who came across the crash that his friend was fine, before shamelessly fleeing the scene.

"It is clear to me that Neville was not a good friend - and he only had himself in mind that evening as he left Matthew with unsurvivable injuries in his car. Despite the challenges faced in the early stages of the investigation, we were able to trawl CCTV and financial data to piece together Neville's actions.

"From this, we know that he consumed alcohol to the excess in Newcastle city centre before getting back in his pick-up truck to drive them home.

He thought by running away he could hide how much he had drank - but thanks to tireless work by officers we proved this in other ways."

Sgt Huntley added: "As ever, our thoughts firmly remain with all of Matthew's loved ones as they continue to navigate a life without him.

While no result will take away their anguish, I hope they feel a sense of comfort knowing Neville will spend a lengthy spell in prison."

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References

1. ^ was doing 106mph in a Ford Ranger Raptor pickup (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Throckley (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Matthew Newton, 28, from Carlisle (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
4. ^ Newcastle Crown Court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
5. ^ Newcastle city centre (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
6. ^ Northumbria Police's (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
7. ^ Here's more information (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
8. ^ clicking here (www.google.com)