A Kings Norton woman has been jailed after a pedestrian and her dog were tragically killed in a collision in Quinton last year.
20-year-old Lucy Atkins, along with the family Lakeland Terrier, Simba, died after being hit by Danielle Mitten’s speeding car on West Boulevard on 24th June 2024.
Investigators from West Midlands Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit established that Mitten, aged 34, had been driving at up to 82mph before the crash – over double the speed limit of 40mph – and collided with Lucy at 63mph.
Mitten pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed on Friday (21st November). She was jailed for five years and four months and disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months. She will also have to take an extended test.
‘Force of nature’
In a statement issued by West Midlands Police, Lucy’s family said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
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