Yahoo News Drunk driver killed grandmother in horror crash after all-day drink binge
Shane Bovey was seen driving at an estimated speed of 60mph through the 30mph area of Mosterton, Dorset, before losing control of the vehicle.
A driver killed a grandmother and injured two others, including a baby, when he crashed into them at high speed following a day of drinking.
Shane Bovey, 41, had been drinking at a pub in Lyme Regis, Dorset, from around 2.10pm on 8 February and became agitated while getting a lift from another man at 7.30pm.
The driver and Bovey both got out of the car before Bovey took the man’s keys to the Mercedes CLK 320 and drove off.
Bovey was then seen driving at an estimated speed of 60mph through the 30mph area of Mosterton before losing control of the vehicle as he approached a left-hand bend.
The car crashed into Nicole Bowden, 48, her daughter, Emily Fox-Williams, 24, and an 11-month-old boy in a pushchair, while they walked along the B3066 where the speed limit was 30mph.
The car then caught fire following the crash, with members of the public assisting the casualties at the scene before emergency services arrived.
All three were airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol but Bowden died on 9 February.
Fox-Williams remains in a serious condition after suffering life-changing injuries.
The child was treated for serious injuries and has since been released from hospital.
Dorset Police said Bovey was described as being verbally aggressive and visibly drunk, with him walking away from the scene before officers arrived.
He was found a short time later in a back garden when police were told by the resident of the property.
Bovey was arrested before being taken to hospital for treatment of a fractured sternum.
Bovey, 41, of Yeovil, has now been sentenced to 14 years in prison after admitting to a fatal car collision, two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and aggravated taking of a vehicle without the owner’s consent at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday.
He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years, with the ban to commence when he leaves prison.
Sergeant Jay Griffin, of the Dorset Police’s traffic unit, said: “Shane Bovey’s extremely reckless actions on the night of Wednesday February 8 2023 had devastating consequences, with the death of one woman and two others being seriously injured.
“He was intoxicated and driving at excessive speed through a rural village before losing control of his vehicle and colliding with the three pedestrians.”
Griffin added: “I hope this tragic incident can send a clear message to anyone thinking of getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drink and drugs of the truly awful consequences that can occur.”
Drink-driving: What are the punishments in the UK?
The legal alcohol limit for driving in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
The limit in Scotland is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Police recommend not drinking any alcohol at all if driving as various factors – including weight, age and how much food you’ve eaten – can mean some people being under the limit, while others are not.
The punishments for drink-driving can also vary, depending on the offence and what the magistrates hearing your case decide.
Drink-drivers face possible imprisonment, driving bans and fines if found guilty.
Simply being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could mean up to three months in prison, a £2,500 fine and a possible driving ban.
Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could mean an increased prison term of six months, an unlimited fine and a driving ban for at least one year – which goes up to three years if convicted twice in 10 years.
Causing death by careless driving when drunk could mean life in prison, an unlimited fine, a ban from driving for at least five years and an extended driving test before the licence is returned.
Even refusing to provide a specimen in an alcohol test could mean six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a ban from driving for at least a year.
A drink-driving conviction would also mean a big rise in car insurance costs and convictions would be visible on licences.
However, you may be able to reduce a driving ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme course if you’re banned from driving for 12 months or more – if the court offers it.
