Court Sentences Driver Involved in Fatal Collision After Consuming Nine Bottles of Rum
CCTV footage of Tom Ferguson checking out of his hotel while drinking from a bottle of rum (Photo: GMP Images/YouTube).
Last Friday, a UK court sentenced 29-year-old Tom Ferguson to 12 years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving for an incident that occurred on Nov. 9, 2023. Ferguson also received a 13 year driving ban. The police investigation discovered that prior to the Feruson’s collision with a pedestrian, 77-year-old Robert Palmer, the driver had been drinking Captain Morgan rum for two days straight in a hotel room.
On the day of the incident, Ferguson was kicked out of a hotel because of complaints about him being drunk. Hotel staff entered the 29-year-old’s to confirm he was preparing to leave. The staff found Ferguson surrounded by nine empty 1-liter bottles of Captain Morgan rum. During checkout, staff noticed he had another half-full bottle of rum and he ignored warnings not to drive.
While leaving the hotel’s property, Ferguson reversed his BMW into an adjacent fence. A passerby informed hotel staff who notified the police.
Around 11:35 a.m., officers received a call reporting a road traffic collision on Buxton Road, Stockport. Ferguson had ran his vehicle onto the sidewalk and hit Robert Palmer. The car pulled back onto the road and began to leave the scene.
A member of the public forced Ferguson off the road using his own vehicle and managed to stop him. When questioned by the individual, Ferguson reportedly had no idea he hit a pedestrian and said, “Have I? Sorry mate, I didn’t even know.”
Police arrested the 29-year-old at the scene and forensic work later showed that he was still two times the legal blood alcohol limit hours after the collision occurred. Unfortunately, Palmer passed away at the hospital due to his injuries.
Ferguson was charged two days later with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified, causing death whilst uninsured and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
“Ferguson’s actions were ridiculously irresponsible, getting behind the wheel of a car after a couple of drinks can have devastating effects, let alone driving after consuming nine-and-a-half bottles of rum over a two-day period,” said Detective Constable Liam Carolan from Greater Manchester Police as reported by Irish Post.
Detective Constable Carolan revealed that Palmer had been walking his wife back from the hospital when the collision occurred.
“Firstly, I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Robert Palmer,” Carolan said.
“This is such a sad case of a husband accompanying his wife back from a hospital appointment.
“Robert’s wife described him as a true gentleman that he would always make sure that he would position himself on the outside of the pathway to protect her from traffic.
“His deepest fears sadly became a reality when he was hit by Tom Ferguson’s BMW.”
Hopefully, the sentencing that occurred on Mar. 8 will provide some closure to those affected by Ferguson’s reckless behavior.
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