Driver Nathan Towers left girlfriend Jess Waterman to die in wreckage of Essex car crash

An unlicensed driver who left his girlfriend to die in the wreckage of their crashed car after a horror attack three days before her 21st birthday.

Nathan Towers, 33, got behind the wheel of his Mini in February last year to pick up Jess Waterman.

After crashing the car in Epping, Essex, he fled, leaving his badly injured girlfriend behind. She died shortly after being rushed to hospital.

Towers now faces four years and three months in prison after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice and fraud.

Following his sentencing on Tuesday, Ms Waterman’s family paid warm tribute to her, calling her “beautiful, vibrant and caring.”

They said they can “never forgive or forget” Towers’ “cold, calm and calculated” actions.

Towers, of Broadoaks, Epping, crashed his car on February 19 last year. He fled and called 999.

Ms Waterman, 20, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, died less than 24 hours after being taken to hospital.

On the night of the collision, officers followed Towers to his home, where the washing machine was running a cycle of muddy clothes despite it being 1:30 a.m.

His mobile phone was found between the slats of his bed and the police found that the number matched the number they were called after the collision.

Towers told officers after his arrest that he bought his car a few days earlier, but a friend was driving that night.

Doorbell footage showed him arriving earlier in the evening to collect Mrs Waterman and the red Mini could be seen in the background.

He was wearing the clothes that were later found in his washing machine.

The allegations of fraud related to him providing false information to an insurance company. He was also charged with causing death while unlicensed and uninsured.

A statement from Ms Waterman’s family said: ‘Today we have seen some justice for our beloved daughter Jess, but we can never forgive or forget the cold, calm and calculated actions of Nathan Towers.

“We trusted him to keep her safe that night.

“Jess would have turned 21 three days after the accident. She had been looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday with her family and friends, but all arrangements had to be cancelled.

“The pain is indescribable. We don’t wish this on anyone.

“Our Jess was a beautiful, vibrant, and caring young woman who touched the lives of so many.

“No sentence will ever feel enough, because nothing can bring her back.

“She was our light, and our world is a dark place without her. We will always love you, Jess. #TeamJess.’

The young woman’s friends also paid tribute. One of them said, “I was overcome with a feeling of helplessness and disbelief, knowing that we never got to say goodbye.”

Another added, “I’m just so thankful for the life we’ve shared together.”

Donations received at Mrs. Waterman’s funeral were donated to a treatment center, where her “legacy and selfless love lives on.”

Towers was also charged with two counts of possession of cannabis, but was not given a separate sentence.

Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Nathan Towers was breaking the law by driving his car despite never having passed a driving test.

That night, after losing control of his vehicle in a hit-and-run that tragically killed Jess, he ruthlessly and selfishly fled to avoid arrest, with no regard for Jess or her injuries.

“After a thorough investigation, he pleaded guilty to all offenses and has been convicted of those counts, and will ultimately be tried for his actions.

“Jess’s family has lost both a daughter and a sister and no length of sentence will bring her back, but I hope today’s sentencing brings a tragically sad event to a close.”