Taxi passenger dies following collision on London Road

[dutchman]

A female taxi passenger has died following a two car collision in Whitley in the early hours of today.



The incident took place in London Road at the junction with Abbey Road, at around 12.10am on Sunday October 11, and involved a black hackney cab and a grey Vauxhall Astra.

Despite the emergency services’ best efforts the 42-year-old female passenger in the taxi could not be saved and died from her injuries.

The driver of the taxi cab was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and shock.

A 17-year-old girl has since been arrested in connection with the incident.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said that she is “currently helping with police enquiries.”

The ambulance service sent two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a MERIT trauma doctor to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The two patients were travelling in the taxi.

“On arrival, it immediately became evident that the woman, who was a passenger, was in cardiac arrest.

“Crews immediately began administering advanced life support, but unfortunately it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The taxi driver was treated for the effects of shock and a knee injury before being taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment.

“There were no patients from the second car involved in the incident.”

London Road was closed overnight but has now reopened.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward and contact them on 101.

[dutchman]

Coventry taxi crash death victim named



A woman who died when the black cab she was a passenger in collided with a car has been named by police as Anna Downey.

The 42-year-old mother-of-two died after the crash at the junction of Abbey Road and London Road in Coventry on Sunday.

She was remembered as "a warm, caring and vivacious personality", in a family tribute.

A 17-year-old girl was arrested and bailed in connection with the crash.

The car involved in the collision was a Vauxhall Astra and the driver of the taxi was treated in hospital for a leg injury, before being allowed home to recover.

Ms Downey's family said: "Anna was a beautiful person and a devoted loving mother to her two young daughters.

"Her family and many friends will struggle to come to terms with this tragic loss of such a warm, caring and vivacious personality."

Sergeant Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police collision investigation unit, added: "This is a tragic event which has left a family totally devastated.

"I would like to thank everyone who has spoken to us so far and assisted as we piece together the events of that night.

"I would urge anyone who hasn't yet spoken to us to contact either myself or my team."

[dutchman]

Teen charged with causing death of Whitley mother-of-two following London Road taxi crash

A teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a mother-of-two in a fatal crash last year.

Danielle Bartlett, aged 18, from Leicester, has been charged with causing death by driving without due care and attention whilst unfit through drink following the death of Anna Downey.

The 42-year-old was killed on October 11, 2015, when the taxi she was travelling in collided with a Vauxhall Astra at the junction of Abbey Road and London Road, in Coventry , just after midnight.

The Whitley mother was travelling in the rear of the black cab when the crash happened and despite the best efforts of medical staff, she died of her injuries.

The driver of the taxi was treated in hospital for a leg injury following the collision.

Mrs Downey leaves behind two daughters.

The teenage student was charged by West Midlands Police last night.

She had been bailed three times before as police continued with their investigation.

Bartlett will appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on October 27.

[dutchman]

Teenage drink-driver admits killing Coventry mum in horrific taxi crash

A teenage drink-driver responsible for killing a taxi passenger in a crash is facing a lengthy prison sentence, a court heard.

Danielle Bartlett, aged 18, of Westleigh Road, Leicester, has appeared in front of a judge at Coventry Crown Court .

Bartlett, who is originally from Leamington, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Anna Downey in October last year by careless driving while unfit through drink.

After Bartlett, who was 17 at the time of the crash, had entered her plea, her solicitor Isabel Wilson asked for the case to be adjourned for a psychiatric report to be prepared on her.

Questioning the need for that, Recorder Adrian Redgrave QC asked: “What can a psychiatric report bring to this case?”

Miss Wilson said Bartlett was ‘under no illusion’ over the type of sentence she would receive, but that a report could help with the length of the sentence .

And she pointed out that Bartlett had been on medication both before and after the tragic incident.

Recorder Redgrave said that Ms Downey’s family would want the matter resolved as soon as possible, and it was unsatisfactory that the material was not already available.

But he accepted it may be necessary for the court to know more about Bartlett, so agreed to the adjournment.

Recorder Redgrave said that Bartlett “must know a lengthy prison sentence is the only available sentence” - and the report could assist with the length of the sentence, but that is all.

Adjourning the case until January for the psychiatric report to be prepared, he granted Bartlett bail but, at the request of prosecutor James Armstrong-Holmes, made her subject to an interim driving ban.

[dutchman]

Three years for drunk learner driver who killed mum-of-two while speeding at 65mph



In handing out the sentence, the judge said: “I have to have regard to the guidelines that are placed down for this type of case.

“You were driving at night, at excess speed for a significant period of time.

“This is in the upper part of the category of cases of careless driving.”

Taking into account her guilty plea and the psychiatric evaluation which said she may be more vulnerable than others in prison, Bartlett was handed three years in a young offenders institution.

She will serve half of that time, with the rest being served on licence.

She was also disqualified for driving for two years, with an extra order of 18 months disqualification for her time in prison. She has also been told that any driving test she takes will be an extended one.

[rebbonk]

Three years? (18 months inside). Not much for taking a life, is it?