Inquests into deaths of women killed by Ben Lewis suspended

Ellie Crossley and Rebecca Doughty were both just 20-years-old when they were struck by a BMW driven by Benjamin Lewis in 2021.

With Lewis sentenced to 10 years imprisonment earlier this month, senior coroner for Cheshire Jacqueline Devonish has now brought a halt to the investigation.

She said: “Benjamin Lewis has been sentenced for their respective deaths.

“There is no reason to resume an inquest and so I declare that it is permanently suspended.”

Inquests into the deaths of Ellie Crossley and Rebecca Doughty have been permanently suspended (Image: Cheshire Police)

On November 25, 2021, best friends Ellie and Rebecca, from Flintshire, were driving along the A5117 in Dunkirk in the former’s Citroen following a day of shopping at Cheshire Oaks.

Shortly before 9.30pm, while travelling at speeds of more than 90mph, Lewis attempted an overtake, despite being on a single-carriageway road with solid white lines.

He collided with the front off-side of the Citroen and both girls were pronounced dead at the scene.

Inquests into their deaths were formally opened on December 7 but later suspended due to the criminal proceedings.

Lewis, of West Vale in Neston, appeared at Chester Crown Court on May 8 this year where he admitted to causing death by dangerous driving.

The 31-year-old nuclear submarine operator was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, of which he will serve six and a half years in custody.

He was also disqualified from driving for four years upon his release.

Benjamin Lewis (Image: Cheshire Police)

Speaking after the sentencing, Ellie’s mother Amanda Crossley said: "There are no words that can ever comprehend the true feeling of losing my daughter and my best friend.

"From the moment that Ellie died, a part of me died too, I am no longer the person I used to be, I can only explain my life as an existence, trying to get to the end of the day. The heartache and pain that I feel is immense, I miss her so much.”

Paul Doughty, Rebecca's father, added: "It is like being in a nightmare that you just couldn't wake up from.

“November 25, 2021 was the day the brightest light in our household went out forever."