A banned drink driver who crashed into a Manchester bus stop and sent a metal pole flying into two pedestrians, killing one, was jailed today.
Tracy Carrington, 51, of Routledge Walk, Harpurhey, smashed into the bus stop and dislodged a metal pole that flew into Adam Osayowanbo Uyiekpenon and killed him on August 2.
After pleading guilty to death by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified at Manchester Crown Court on August 18, the 51-year-old was sentenced to six years and four months in prison today.
After the sentencing relatives of Mr Osayowanbo Uyiekpen, who had moved from Italy to work and support his Nigerian family, added: “The world as we know it has come to a shuddering halt.
“The loss of Adam has replaced our happiness and joy with sorrow and pain.
“We are still traumatized both emotionally and physically, not a day goes by without each one of us breaking down with the overwhelming grief of losing the shining star in our world.
“Adam was the light in our darkness, our special boy, always smiling and bringing joy to the lives of the people who knew him. He liked to make peace where there was no peace.”
Around 5.30pm on August 2, Carrington lost control of her Toyota Avensis while driving down Moston Lane, close to the junction of Cole Street in Harpurhey.
She careered into a bus stop with such force that a metal pole became detached from the ground and collided with two pedestrians walking further down the road.
Nigerian-born factory worker Mr Osayowanbo Uyiekpen, 32, suffered severe head injuries and died immediately at the scene despite first aid being administaerd by on-lookers.
KILLED: Adam Osayowanbo Uyiekpenon was waiting at a bus stop when he died
A second man was also injured by the debris of the crash but after recovering from back and leg injuries, was later discharged from hospital.
Manchester Crown Court was told Carrington the mother of four daughters between the ages of 13 and 24, had three previous drink driving convictions and was serving a three-year ban at the time of the accident.
She had been out drinking the night before and continued to drink the next day and at the time had been excited about a holiday with her terminally ill former husband and daughters.
A breath test by the police revealed that three hours after the tragedy she was still three times over the legal limit.
Sergeant Mark Thomas, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, commented: “This has been an absolutely tragic case, one which has left this community shocked and angry.
“Carrington has stolen Adam away from them with her selfish and completely irresponsible behaviour.
“By climbing into the car knowing she was banned, uninsured and completely unfit to drive due to being heavily under the influence of alcohol, she was placing her needs above the health and safety of innocent pedestrians.
“I hope this sentence goes some way to demonstrating to the people who, inexplicably, still believe that drinking and driving is acceptable, that if you are caught the consequences will be justifiably severe.”
