Stop the Speeders: Family paying 'ultimate sentence' after death of daughter
The father of a teenager killed by a speeding driver has backed an Express & Star campaign for tougher sentences.
This newspaper launched the Stop the Speeders petition last week after reporting on two men jailed for less than eight years for each causing the death of a man by dangerous driving.
So far, the petition has more than 1,100 signatures. It calls for judges to put down longer sentences for killer drivers and will be sent to Prime Minister Theresa May.
More from the Express & Star's Stop the Speeders campaign
The latest person to back it is Richard Evans, whose daughter Georgie Evans, a former pupil of Kinver High School, died when her car was hit by an Audi A6 driven by Kuba Oles.
The Polish immigrant was speeding along Priory Road in Dudley when it happened, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
The 24-year-old, of Beaconview Road, West Bromwich, fled the scene after the crash. He was later jailed for six years, after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
The parents of Miss Evans, from Himley, could not attend the court hearing as they were still too upset, following the crash on October 27.
Paying the ultimate sentence
But today Mr Evans said: “We lost our daughter 27th October 2016 on Priory Road, Dudley, due to a driver speeding at nearly 100mph in a 30mph zone.
“He struck her car with such force it tore it in half. She hadn’t a prayer.
“The driver then made off from the scene and handed himself in 18 hours later – he was sentenced to six years imprisonment and probably will be out in four. We are paying the ultimate sentence. Enough is enough.”
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Oles was helped to the side of the road by passers-by but fled from the scene when their backs were turned.
He did not hand himself into the police until 18 hours later, making it impossible for him to be checked for drink and drugs.
He then tried to pass blame onto the victim, claiming she was inexperienced and had been travelling too slowly.
But these allegations were dismissed by the findings of the police investigation.
The crash took place at the junction of Cedar Road.Judge Challinor, who also banned Ole from driving for 14 years, said: “This was a prolonged, persistent and deliberate course of bad driving with reckless disregard for other road users.
“It was just a matter of time before your precipitative actions led to catastrophe. You pose a significant risk of causing serious harm through your driving.”
Figures from the Department of Transport show 54 people died on the roads in the West Midlands in the 12 months up to October 27.
To sign the Express & Star's petition, click here
