A speeding motorist has been jailed after she killed a 20-year-old student who was walking her dog, as the family heartbreakingly say they forgive her killer.
Lucy Atkins died after being struck by a car in Quinton, near Birmingham on 24 June last year, she had been out for a walk with the family’s beloved Lakeland Terrier, Simba, who was also killed in the collision.
The driver, 34-year-old Danielle Mitten, had been travelling at up to 82mph in a 40mph zone shortly before the crash, hitting Lucy at a speed of 63mph.
In a moving statement Lucy’s mother spoke of how her son wishes to let Mitten know that he forgives her for the accident.
She said: ‘My son wishes Ms Mitten to know that as much as he wishes every day that his sister Lucy was still here, he does not hold this against her as he wants us all, including Ms Mitten to be able to move on with our lives and live them in Lucy’s honour rather than in sadness.
‘Because this is what Lucy would have wanted.’
Mitten, from Birmingham, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced on Friday.
She received five years and four months in prison and was banned from driving for seven years and eight months. She must also complete an extended re-test before being allowed back on the roads.
Lucy Atkins died after being struck by a car on West Boulevard in Quinton on 24 June last year
A police investigation found that the driver, 34-year-old Danielle Mitten, had been travelling at up to 82mph in a 40mph zone shortly before the crash
Lucy had just completed her first year at Cardiff University, where she was studying for a BSc in Business Management.
In a moving tribute, Lucy’s family added: ‘The loss of Lucy, together with our dog Simba has brought immense pain to all our lives.
‘We have described Lucy as a force of nature who touched all she knew or met. She was full of life and enjoyed her life. Lucy was loving, kind, caring and thoughtful.
She continued: Nothing will bring our beloved Lucy and Simba back, but if the pain that I have described that has been visited upon us by this tragedy gets publicity and stops someone else from driving dangerously and killing someone, then Lucy’s death will not have been in vain.’
Police said the devastating crash was entirely avoidable and urged drivers to consider the lasting consequences of dangerous speed.
