Danger driver's guilt over woman's death

The driver of the car that crashed into railings, killing a 20-year-old Tipton woman, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Terri Bowater was the front-seat passenger in the silver Mitsubishi Lancer that lost control and hit a concrete bollard and the metal railings in Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath, at 11.40pm on May 14 this year.

James Dunne, aged 40, of Shadowbrook Lane, Solihull, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday. A date for sentencing has yet to be set by the court.

Miss Bowater was cut from the car at the scene along with fellow passenger, mother-of-two Kerry Aldridge, 34, of Monins Avenue, Tividale, who was in the back seat.

But Miss Bowater, who dreamed of becoming a carer, was pronounced dead at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.

Miss Aldridge was seriously injured in the crash, breaking her pelvis, hips, ribs, legs and arm. Another man who was in the car suffered minor injuries.

Miss Bowater's mother Gill paid tribute to her following the crash, when she described her as a "one-of-a-kind daughter".

She said: "The crash was a tragedy that should never have happened. She had everything to live for. She aspired to be a carer but sadly never got the chance to fulfil her dreams and ambitions - now she never will. We will miss her more than words can say.

"Terri was a bubbly, outgoing and loving person who was loved by her family and friends."

Friends remember her as a young woman who loved music and dancing. A total of 1,276 people have joined a Facebook page in memory of Terri, entitled RIP Terri Bowater.

The family of Kerry Aldridge said she is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her friend.

She was in Selly Oak Hospital, for four weeks after the accident and underwent two seven-hour operations due to the severity of her injuries.

She is expected to need more surgery in future.