The flashing lights, a chaotic constellation on the Fiat’s dashboard, had been there for over an hour. A silent warning, ignored. Corey Owen Cooper, barely a driver himself, pushed the car faster, oblivious to the impending disaster on the rain-slicked roads of Sheffield. It was November 11th, 2023, a day that would forever be etched in grief.
The Fiat Grande Punto, traveling at an estimated 53mph in a 20mph zone, “just shot off” according to a witness, disappearing from view in a blur of speed. Moments later, the car lay upturned, a mangled wreck. Cooper, soaked in blood, stood nearby, the horrifying realization of what he’d done beginning to dawn. The crash occurred on the birthday of Josh Atkins’ father, adding another layer of heartbreak to the unfolding tragedy.
Josh Atkins, a young man described by his family as “cheeky, funny, friendly and kind, with an infectious energy,” wouldn’t survive. He died days later, a life brimming with potential extinguished in an instant. The reckless actions of a friend had stolen a future, leaving a void that could never be filled.
Earlier that evening, Cooper hadn’t just exceeded the speed limit; he’d flaunted it. Witnesses reported him speeding past Bradfield School at 80mph and performing dangerous “doughnuts” in a car park. It was a display of youthful bravado, a desperate attempt to impress, with devastating consequences.
At Sheffield Crown Court, the judge delivered a stark sentence: five years in prison for Cooper. He condemned the “immaturity on a grand scale” that led to the tragedy, emphasizing the irreversible damage caused by a moment of reckless abandon. “A young life has been ended. Another two lives have been ruined. For what? Showing off to friends.”
Outside the court, Josh Atkins’ aunt, Claire Chapman, spoke with raw emotion. She described a nephew “full of promise, laughter and happiness,” and the “utterly shattering” impact of his loss. Her voice joined a growing chorus calling for a graduated driving license system, a measure designed to protect young, inexperienced drivers.
The family found a small measure of solace in Josh’s final act of generosity. At his family’s wish, his organs were donated, giving the gift of life to four others. It was, they said, the “ultimate gift,” a beacon of hope amidst unimaginable sorrow.
Last November, the community rallied, more than 100 people participating in a memorial walk in Hillsborough Park. They raised £700 for charities dedicated to supporting those affected by road tragedies, a testament to the enduring love and remembrance for a young life lost too soon.
