A drink driver who killed a young motorcyclist and then pretended to be too severely injured to face prosecution has been jailed after police uncovered footage of him dancing, playing rugby, and enjoying beers.
The fatal crash and a web of lies
On 25 April 2021, Steven Naylor, 41, drove his Audi at speeds of up to 120mph on the M62 near Liverpool. He ploughed into the back of a motorbike ridden by Owen Baugh, 23, from Manchester. Mr Baugh was fatally knocked into the carriageway and hit by another vehicle.
Naylor's car veered off the road, and he was impaled on a wooden fence, suffering serious injuries. However, upon his discharge from hospital in June 2021, he and his wife, Lisa Naylor, began exaggerating his condition. They claimed he had a brain injury and could barely walk, attempting to prevent him from facing justice for the crash.
The elaborate deception unravels
Bodycam footage from Merseyside Police shows officers arriving at the couple's home in St Helens to arrest Naylor. Lisa Naylor told police her husband was 'overwhelmed' due to his brain injury and insisted 'he can't exactly run anywhere'. Naylor was seen leaving his home on crutches and limping through a police station with assistance.
Yet detectives soon discovered a trove of evidence exposing the sham. This included videos and photos showing Naylor playing rugby, kayaking, giving a speech at his brother's wedding, shopping independently at Aldi, and enjoying a beer in a pub. Lisa had even been sent a video of him playing rugby in April 2023.
Justice served at Liverpool Crown Court
At Liverpool Crown Court on 9 January, the prosecution detailed how Naylor had been drinking before the fatal crash and was seen on CCTV 'flashing his headlights' at high speed. Despite claiming he lacked capacity, a blood sample taken after the crash was ultimately submitted for analysis.
Steven Naylor admitted causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Lisa Naylor was convicted of perverting the course of justice and received a sentence of four and a half years.
In a moving statement, Owen Baugh's family said their lives had come to a 'devastating stop' and thanked Merseyside Police for their 'determined effort' to bring the 'evil individual' who 'never showed an ounce of remorse' to justice.
