NEVER AGAIN
Grieving mum begs for drivers to stop speeding
FOREVER haunted by the image of her daughter’s lifeless body in a crashed car, a mum is today begging other drivers to stop speeding.
It has now been almost a year since Isabel Easson lost her precious girl Bethany Fisher when a car, driven by Jordan O’Donnell, smashed into parked cars and a wall outside her home in Bedlington.
Today two new speed indicator display (SID) signs have been installed on the C405 by Northumberland County Council following campaigning by Bethany’s family and friends.
And Isabel hopes the signs will make people think and help stop other parents going through what she has.
The 48-year-old said: “I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I still can’t see past that image of her body. I’m struggling to get that image of her out my head.
“That’s something no parent should ever see.
“My life is ripped apart forever, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“Everybody has noticed the speed down here, but more so since Bethany died.
“I would like to think this will do something to stop people speeding, but you will always have these idiots who think they are invincible.”
Bethany had been out celebrating her 19th birthday on the night before she was killed.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how O’Donnell reached estimated speeds of around 60mph in residential streets after offering to give Bethany and friend Meg McBurnie a lift.
The girls asked the 20-year-old, who had only passed his test weeks earlier, to slow down, but he then carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on a bend and lost control, smashing into parked cars, careering out of control and hitting a fence and wall.
The noise of the crash, which happened outside Bethany’s home on Victoria Terrace, woke her mum.
And when she went out into the street to help she was confronted with the horrific scene of her daughter fatally injured and Meg lying on the ground screaming in agony.
Despite being told Bethany was dead, NHS worker Isabel desperately tried to give her CPR before being pulled away by police officers.
Over 1,000 local residents signed a petition calling for speed reduction measures on the road.
Working with Northumbria Police and ward councillor Bill Crosby, the council decided the SID signs would be the most suitable option for the busy bus route, which links Bedlington and Bedlington Station.
Coun Crosby, who helped fund the signs, said: “We have had one tragedy in the area and no one wants another. We sincerely hope the new speed indicator signs will help make this area a safer place for everyone.”
And Supt Andy Huddleston, of Northumbria Police, is now urging the local community to help officers keep the roads safe.
He said: “If anyone has got any concerns about the manner of someone’s driving, particularly these young drivers, report it to us.
If we intervene early we can get people to change their behaviour.”
In court O’Donnell, of Waverley Court, Bedlington, also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while uninsured, attempting to pervert the course of justice and failing to stop after an accident.
He was jailed for two and a half years and banned from driving for four years following his release.