Man jailed after killing woman in collision

A driver who was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he caused a fatal crash, resulting in the death of a woman, has been jailed for more than 14 years. 

Stephen Smart, 34, of West Chadsmoor, Cannock, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Friday (29 August) after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

It happened at around 11.20pm on Thursday 21 December 2023 on the A5 in Cannock.

Helen Klich, who was 67 at the time, was in the passenger seat of a Kia. Her husband, Phillip Klich, was driving the car when it came into collision with a black BMW, which Smart was driving.

The impact was so severe that it caused the Kia to flip on its roof.

Helen suffered catastrophic injuries. Despite extensive treatment that was given by members of the public and emergency services, she tragically died at the scene. She was a sister to four, mother of two and a grandmother of four. Helen worked for the NHS for over 25 years and retired only six days before the collision.

Her husband, Phillip, suffered eight broken ribs, bruised lungs, severe bruising to his face and wrist, internal bleeding, two haematomas to his groin, muscular damage to his back, various cuts from glass shards and bruising to his legs. He was treated in hospital and has since been discharged.

The passenger who was in the car with Smart also suffered serious injuries, including a torn aorta, multiple kidney lesions, a lacerated spleen, fractured vertebra, breaks to his pelvis and extensive lower leg injuries. He was placed into an induced coma and required multiple operations. He has also been discharged from hospital.

Smart was arrested and taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries. He denied being the driver of the car when he was questioned in custody.

Collison investigators worked tirelessly to capture all of the available evidence, eventually putting Smart in the driver’s seat and securing the charges against him. The enquiry revealed that Smart had been inhaling nitrous oxide through balloons throughout the journey that evening. 

As part of his sentencing, he was also banned from driving for 15-years-and-eight-months and ordered to take an extended re-test.

PC Jon Stant, from our serious collision investigation unit, said: “Smart’s actions on this day have devastated the lives of so many people involved, forever. I’m happy that he’s now serving justice for what he did.

“Dangerous driving destroys lives and we’re determined to keep working proactively to make sure we stop people from causing harm to others on our roads in Staffordshire.”