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Millie Greenway's parents speak of their relief following sentencing of Sittingbourne man who was driving car when she was killed

13:20, 14 September 2021

updated: 14:42, 14 September 2021

The parents of a teenage girl tragically killed in a car crash after the driver fled from police say they are "lonely, broken and crushed" without her.

Wendy and Andy Greenway have spoken out after the man driving the car when Millie died was yesterday sentenced to six years and four months behind bars.

Millie with mum Wendy, dad Andy and sister Sophie. Picture: Greenway family
Millie with mum Wendy, dad Andy and sister Sophie. Picture: Greenway family

It comes after Fahren Smith, 20, had earlier pleading guilty to causing the death of Millie, 17, and causing serious injuries to four others by his dangerous driving on July 4 last year in Mundy Bois Road, Egerton, near Ashford.

Mrs Greenway, also mum to Sophie, said: "The last 18 months have been a typical emotional rollercoaster.

"But we have great support around us.

"We've tried to remain as positive as possible. We wouldn't want to insult Millie by giving up. We've still had her birthday parties.

"The hardest thing has been waiting for court.

Millie worked at Summers Motors, which she described as her dream job. Picture: Greenway family/Summers
Millie worked at Summers Motors, which she described as her dream job. Picture: Greenway family/Summers

"But I got what I needed when he pleaded guilty and showed remorse."

Mrs Greenway says the family were expecting the given sentence to be shorter.

She added: "It enabled my daughter to breathe again. And Andy was relieved with the sentence. But nothing will bring Millie back.

"Teenagers will be teenagers and we don't want to be angry. It won't bring her back and it won't make us feel better."

The crash last year happened after the group of six left the Rose and Crown Pub, near Pluckley, and all got into Smith's four-seater car.

Millie, with mum Wendy and sister Sophie. Picture: Greenway family
Millie, with mum Wendy and sister Sophie. Picture: Greenway family

However, after spotting a police car nearby, Smith - who had been drinking and had no licence - sped away after spinning the wheels.

Within seconds the Suzuki had struck a concrete post and landed in a garden where four of the passengers were trapped in the wreckage and Millie died from her injuries. She was one month away from turning 18.

The other four teenagers all suffered serious injuries and continue to suffer both physically and psychologically.

At court, the judge praised Mrs Greenway - who read out a poignant and heartfelt letter about the impact of the death of her "beautiful, zany" sidekick who wanted to become a car paint sprayer - for her dignity.

In that impact statement, Mrs Greenway said Millie had stolen her "heart from day one" and that she has "cherished every moment since".

She detailed how Millie, a former North School pupil, had secured her dream job at Summers garage in Biddenden as an apprentice paint sprayer where "she found her second family and flourished".

Millie Greenway died just before her 18th birthday
Millie Greenway died just before her 18th birthday

Millie, who lived in Shadoxhurst, had also resprayed the car her parents had bought for her when she passed her test. But sadly she never got the chance to pass or drive it, and Wendy now drives it in her honour.

Mrs Greenway said Millie "lit up a room" and was "a force to be reckoned with" and was "so full of life".

She said how proud she was of her daughter who was "comfortable in her own skin".

Mrs Greenway said Millie loved dying her hair different colours and would plan for the future, including owning her own body shop and repair business, getting married, having children and a nice house, and being bridesmaid for her sister Sophie and a 'cool' aunt to her children.

Mrs Greenway added: "We have lost our balance as we're now a physical family of three and we're still finding our place without Mils to counterbalance.

"She was my beautiful, zany, funny, thoughtful sidekick for so many years.

Millie had even sprayed her own car. Picture: Greenway family/Summers
Millie had even sprayed her own car. Picture: Greenway family/Summers

"She was my strength and when she came home I felt complete, I felt all was good in the world.

"Without Mils we are lonely and broken and so so crushed. It’s not a path I would wish for any parent to travel."

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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