Driver High on Ketamine Admits Drug Use Before Fatal Bolton Collision
A driver who was high on ketamine has admitted taking the drug before mowing down and killing a young motorcyclist in a devastating crash near Bolton, Greater Manchester. Cormac Sale, aged 22, was seen slumped in the back of an ambulance following the incident, where paramedics directly asked him if he had consumed any drugs or alcohol.
Shocking Admission and Reckless Actions
After initially remaining silent, Sale was urged to be honest and replied with a single word: 'Ket.' His Skoda Fabia crashed into Spencer Rothwell-Poole, also 22, on December 14, 2024, with Sale found to be ten times over the legal limit for driving under the influence. Tragically, Mr Rothwell-Poole died at the scene, and Sale has now been sentenced to ten years and eight months in jail.
In a clip released by Greater Manchester Police, dashcam footage captures Sale's Skoda Fabia driving along the road at high speed before braking sharply as another vehicle pulls into a cycle lane. Sale then accelerated and overtook at speed, mere seconds before colliding with Mr Rothwell-Poole, highlighting the reckless nature of his actions.
Heartbreaking Impact on the Victim's Family
The victim's father delivered an emotional statement to Bolton Crown Court, saying: 'On the 14 December 2024 at 7pm I hugged my boy for the last time. I told him that I loved him and to stay safe, he went out on his bike and never came back, all because of one mindless person that night. Cormac Sale didn't just kill my son. He killed the family.'
Mr Rothwell-Poole's brother described him as 'an amazingly safe and careful motorbike rider, who did everything by the book', adding that he misses him 'every day'. The family's grief underscores the profound loss caused by the crash.
Police Response and Warning Against Dangerous Driving
Detective Constable James Maskrey emphasised that the sentence reflects the 'devastating consequences of choosing to drive recklessly and whilst under the influence'. He added a stark warning: 'dangerous driving destroys lives', urging the public to consider the irreversible harm such actions can cause.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of drug-impaired driving, with the legal system imposing a significant prison term to deter similar behaviour and provide some measure of justice for the victim's loved ones.
