Shameless boyfriend left girlfriend to die in the wreckage of car crash three days before her 21st birthday – then blamed his friend
- Nathan Towers, 33, crashed his mini in Epping, Essex, last year
- He left gravely injured Jess Waterman behind and dialed 999
An unlicensed driver who left his girlfriend to die in the wreckage of their crashed car after a horror smash just three days before her 21st birthday.
Nathan Towers, 33, got behind the wheel of his Mini to pick up Jess Waterman in February last year.
After crashing the car in Epping, Essex, he fled the scene, leaving his gravely injured girlfriend behind. She died shortly after being rushed to hospital.
Towers has now been jailed for four years and three months after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice and fraud.
After his sentencing on Tuesday, Ms Waterman’s family paid a warm tribute to her, calling her ‘beautiful, vibrant and caring’.
An unlicensed driver who left his girlfriend to die in the wreckage of their crashed car after a horror smash just three days before her 21st birthday. Nathan Towers, 33, got behind the wheel of his Mini to pick up Jess Waterman (pictured) in February last year
After crashing the car in Epping, Essex, he fled the scene, leaving his gravely injured girlfriend behind. Above: A police mugshot of Nathan Towers
They said they can ‘never forgive or forget’ the ‘cold, calm and calculated’ actions of Towers.
Towers, of Broadoaks, Epping, crashed his car on February 19 last year. He fled the scene and dialled 999.
Ms Waterman, 20, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, died less than 24 hours after being taken to hospital.
On the night of the collision, officers traced Towers to his home, where the washing machine was running a cycle of muddy clothes despite it being 1.30 am.
His mobile phone was found hidden between the slats of his bed and police found that the number matched the one used to call them after the collision.
Ms Waterman’s family described the pain of losing her as ‘indescribable’
Ms Waterman, 20, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, died less than 24 hours after being taken to hospital
Donations received at Ms Waterman’s funeral were given to a treatment centre, where her ‘legacy and selfless love lives on’
Towers told officers after his arrest that he had bought his car a few days earlier, but that a friend was driving that evening.
Doorbell footage showed him arriving to pick Ms Waterman up earlier in the evening and the red Mini could be seen in the background.
He was wearing the clothes which were later found in his washing machine.
The fraud charges related to him giving false details to an insurance company. He was also charged with causing death whilst unlicensed and uninsured.
A statement from Ms Waterman’s family said: ‘Today we have seen some justice for our beloved daughter Jess, but we can never forgive or forget the cold, calm and calculated actions of Nathan Towers.
‘We trusted he would keep her safe that night.
‘Jess was going to turn 21 three days after the accident. She had been looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday with her family and friends, but all arrangements had to be cancelled.
‘The pain is indescribable. We wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
‘Our Jess was a beautiful, vibrant, and caring young woman who had touched the lives of so many.
‘No length of sentence will ever feel enough as nothing can bring her back.
‘She was our light, and our world is a darker place without her. We will always love you, Jess. #TeamJess.’
The young woman’s friends also paid tribute. One said: ‘I was overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness and disbelief, knowing that we never got to say goodbye.’
Another added: ‘I’m just so thankful for the life we have shared together.’
Donations received at Ms Waterman’s funeral were given to a treatment centre, where her ‘legacy and selfless love lives on’.
Towers was also charged with two counts of possession of cannabis, but received no separate penalty.
After his sentencing on Tuesday, Ms Waterman’s family paid a warm tribute to her, calling her ‘beautiful, vibrant and caring’
Inspector Mark Fraser, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Nathan Towers flouted the law by driving his car despite never passing a driving test.
‘That night, after losing control of his vehicle in a collision which tragically caused Jess to lose her life, he callously and selfishly fled the scene to avoid arrest, with no regard for Jess or her injuries.
‘Following a thorough investigation, he pleaded guilty to all the offences and has been sentenced for those matters, finally facing justice for his actions.
‘Jess’s family have lost both a daughter and a sister and no length of sentence will bring her back, but I hope todays sentencing brings some closure to a tragically sad event.’