Woman, 60, jailed after causing 'wonderful' dad-of-three's death with braking error on busy road

Chris Parson's family remembered the dad, 29, as a "wonderful son, brother, uncle, and loving father to his three amazing children" following his death in Barthomley, Cheshire

A woman has been jailed for causing the death of a "wonderful" dad of three after she made a braking error on a busy country road.

Alison Cooper, 60, was driving home from work when she harshly braked her Ford Fiesta on the A500 at Barthomley, Cheshire. The sudden move forced Chris Parsons, 29, into evasive action, and the dad from North Wales crashed into an oncoming car. Mr Parsons died at the scene.

Cooper, of Badger Brow Road in Loggerheads, Staffordshire, has been handed a 40-month sentence after she admitted to causing death by dangerous driving following the 2022 incident during a hearing at Chester Crown Court. She was handed the sentence alongside a five-year driving ban, with detectives using the case to issue a warning to motorists.

Speaking following the sentencing on Monday, Detective Constable Lisa Evans-Hill, from Cheshire Police, said people take their own and others' lives into their hands while driving. She said: "This was a dangerous action on a busy road with fatal consequences. This decision to brake, caused not only Chris’ family’s lives to change forever that day, but Mrs Cooper’s as well.

"I hope it makes people think carefully about their actions behind the wheel. Everyone should be aware that when they get in a vehicle, they have the potential to cause real damage and even take a life. You have not only your life in your hands but other road users and this needs to be remembered every time you make that journey. Please drive carefully and safely for everyone’s sake."

Speaking following the 2022 crash, Mr Parsons' family remembered the "amazing, kind, caring" man who "would go above and beyond for absolutely anyone". They said in a statement: "Our beloved Chris sadly passed away on Thursday 16 June 2022 aged 29 years old. Words can’t describe the heartache we as a family are going through.

"He was a wonderful Son, brother, uncle, and loving Father to his three amazing children who he will be sorely missed by. He was an amazing, kind, caring wonderful person who would go above and beyond for absolutely anyone. Rest In Peace Shifty, fly high, gone but never forgotten."

The family thanked Cheshire police following the sentencing on Monday, commending their hard work that "helped to get some justice for Chris" in a new statement. They said: "We as a family would like to thank Cheshire police for all their hard work throughout this case that helped to get some justice for Chris.

"Nothing will ever bring our Chris back home to us, but we are overwhelmed by the sentence that was given today. Chris’ death has impacted the family immensely, and every day is spent missing him. Knowing that we have a little bit of justice for our family, justice for his children and for his friends, is something that will make our healing that tiny bit easier.

"Rest easy shifty, we love you always."