ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
Forty years old Godwin Ohue of Nigerian origin has been jailed for nine years after claiming a woman who died in a crash, he caused was faking her injuries.
Ohue, who was uninsured was more than four times over the legal drink-driving limit when he crashed into another car, killing Darcy Bruce-Lawrence, 20, in June last year.
Miss Bruce-Lawrence, who was a passenger in the other vehicle’s back seat, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering fatal injuries from the impact of the collision.
Ohue had to be pulled away from emergency responders trying to save his victim’s life after attempting to film the incident.
Darcy died at the scene of the crash in East Hill at 11.40pm on June 28 last year but Ohue repeatedly claimed she was not injured and attempted to film medics desperately trying to save her life on the roadside.
Ohue’s decision to get behind the wheel after drinking has been described by police as “selfish” while his actions after the crash to try to record Darcy being treated was said to be “appalling”.
CCTV footage of the crash obtained by investigators showed a Vauxhall Meriva carrying out a three-point turn in the road.
Ohue was then seen driving at speed into the side of the Vauxhall forcing it 14 metres up the road.
Forensic investigation revealed Ohue was travelling at between 48mph and 51mph when his Volkswagen Touareg smashed into the Vauxhall in the 30mph zone.
Darcy, who was a passenger in the back of the car driven by her mum Donna Bruce, sustained fatal injuries.
Ms. Bruce suffered serious injuries and needed urgent treatment.
Police on patrol nearby heard the crash and arrived quickly at the scene where 40-year-old Ohue told officers the driver of the Vauxhall was drunk and had pulled out into the road from a junction in front of him.
He also repeatedly claimed one of the casualties – Darcy – had been feigning her injuries before attempting to film the paramedics at work.
But in court, Ohue, of Church Road, Greenhithe, admitted causing death by careless driving whilst over the drink drive limit.
He also admitted another charge of causing death whilst driving without insurance.
He was sentenced to nine years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court.
Video released by Kent Police following the hearing showed the moment police arrested Ohue and him taking a breathaliser test in the back of a police car.
He recorded a reading of 150mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.
PC Darren Chapman, the investigating police officer, said: “Ohue’s selfish and exceptionally reckless decision to drive while drunk has needlessly robbed a young woman of her life – and her family of a future together.
“His behaviour after the collision was beyond appalling and the decisions, he made on that night have caused those who knew the victim endless amounts of grief and pain.
“Although I am pleased that a custodial sentence has been imposed, I understand that for the family of Darcy they will live with the effects of that night for the rest of their lives.
“I sincerely hope other people look at this case and think twice before they get behind the wheel after consuming any alcohol.”
Darcy, daughter of the late Tony Lawrence, from Dartford, is survived by her three brothers, baby sister, stepfather Darren Newsome and her partner Ben Jones.
