Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Drunk learner driver jailed for fatal car crash
ALEARNER driver who recklessly drove without insurance and licence killed his partner’s cousin – whose mother had also died in a car crash – has been jailed.
Just after 8pm on Saturday, May 1 last year Aron Dunn was driving his partner and her cousin, Jade ElliottDavis, along the B3081 between Shaftesbury and Gillingham in Dorset.
Dunn, who lives in Gillingham, only had a provisional licence, was uninsured, and had driven the car only a few times before. He was also, according to police evidence, over the drinkdrive limit and was likely travelling at over 70mph.
At about 8.15pm, Dunn sped his Audi A6 up to overtake a car which was travelling at about 50mph around a blind corner on a wet road service.
Dunn sped out of view of the car he overtook, before losing control of the back of the car and smashing into a tree by the side of the road.
The car hit the tree on the side of Ms Davis’s seat. As a result she sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. Police arrested and charged Dunn with causing death by dangerous driving.
Dunn, 30, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday for sentencing by Judge Stephen Climie.
A statement from Ms Davis’s grandmother, who adopted her when she was eight months old because her mother had also died in a car crash, was read out to court in the presence of Dunn.
It said: “In 2000 I lost my youngest daughter Lisa in a road traffic accident. I never thought I’d be dealing with the death of Jade. Jade’s mother was my youngest child, had recently given birth, we were so close and looking forward to her life together and me supporting her. I took over when she died as primary carer.
“My reaction when I heard Jade had died was one of deep shock and disbelief. It felt like the world had come to an end. I had been Jade’s best friend and mum for 23 years. We could talk about anything in good or bad times.
“I think of her every single minute of every single day. Jade was planning her future education and was in the early stage of enrolling in psychology. It was amazing to see her so passionate about something.
“It upsets me so much to think Jade will never be a mum, wife, grandmother or own a home or have a career – it was taken away by a reckless driver. For five months after she died I was still going into her room and asking her if she wanted a coffee, I’d lie on the bed and cry thinking how she should be here. My home feels empty and so does my heart.
“She was kind, compassionate, honest and would help anyone who needed it. I wish Jade had never got into that car. People say time is a good healer, that isn’t true. I’ll miss her for eternity and my life will never be complete without her. No parent should go through what I went through. The driver will receive his punishment and continue his life with a sense of normality.”
Defending Dunn, Thomas Evans pointed out his previous good character and that he didn’t set out to do harm.
Mr Evans said: “But his offending has caused unimaginable pain for the family of the victim, including his own partner. She now faces the loss of her partner at a time where she’s caring for three children.”
Judge Climie sent Dunn to prison for 30 months. He is also disqualified from driving for four years.