A man has opened up about how he accidentally killed his best friend while driving under the influence.
**Content warning: Contains descriptions of drug abuse, alcohol use, a car accident and mental health struggles**
Nearly 15 years ago, Jason Rock went to a party in North London when he was 18 years old where people were drinking and taking drugs.
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Supplies were running low and a pair of car keys were being waved around, so Jason offered to hop in and drive to go pick up some more.
Jason has since revealed what happened that night which led to his best mate being killed, how the incident has changed his life and the effect it has on him to this day.
Jason explained at the time of him agreeing to drive the car and pick up more alcohol and drugs he was 'still in the process of making bad decisions or the wrong choices in [his] life'.
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He told LADbible: "Reefer was with me that night and another guy called Lee who, my partner at the time, it was her mom's partner or friend.
"I don't really, I don't remember it [the crash], but I try and imagine it, if that makes sense, with the photos that I've seen and with the witness statements that were read."
It was later discovered not only was Jason over the drink-drive limit but he also had ketamine in his system, despite thinking he was taking cocaine.
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He recalls what he remembers of the crash: "I remember laughing and joking with Reefer before. And there was cars that was alongside us, or and we'd been having an altercation with some other boys in a car previous to entering the Blackwall Tunnel because I'd lost control coming out of the Blackwall Tunnel.
"And it hit the lamppost at high speeds into the driver's door where I was sitting and the lamppost came through the car.
"My best friend died and Lee who was in the back lost his leg."
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The next thing Jason remembers is waking up in hospital. "Honestly it was just the worst time. It really really hurt, and it still does," he says.
Reefer was 19 when he died. "He was older than me, so he was like my older like, so I would listen to him. and he was proper loyal, one of the most loyal friends I've had in my life, without a doubt. And he loved me and he told me that he loved me and I loved him as well.
"Wherever you see Reefer, Rocco was not far behind and wherever you see Rocco, Reefer was not far behind."
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Jason explained his best friend's death truly hit him when he went to see Reefer with his family.
"I cuddled him and my tears dropped all over his face.
"It's like the world carries on and you want it all to stop because it's not really fair that he's not here no more and I get to live the rest of my life and he doesn't get to see his daughter and that's ultimately my fault," he says.
Jason was sentenced to five years in prison and given a five year driving ban.
However, he notes: "But that's not really my sentence. My sentence is what I go to sleep with and what I wake up with."
Since getting out, Jason says he no longer drinks or takes drugs. He also works in the education system, sharing his story to try and help 'youngsters make better choices'.
Jason resolved: "It's been nearly 15 years [...] and I don't think it's going to hurt any less. [...] But I owe it to Reefer to try and bring something positive out of this and do something with my life. [...] So if my story can help someone that's why I'm here."
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: UK News, Food And Drink
Poppy Bilderbeck