Mum of Dartford fatal crash victim in East Hill says 'justice is served' as driver jailed
16:05, 27 August 2020
updated: 12:46, 28 August 2020
The mother of a young woman killed after a drunk driver crashed into their car says she is glad justice has been served.
Darcy Bruce-Lawrence died just before midnight on June 28 last year when drunk Godwin Ohue, 40, drove into the car she was a back seat passenger in.
The 20-year-old's mother Donna Bruce was attempting a three-point turn in East Hill, Dartford , when the collision happened.
She said: "I and all of my family are relieved that justice has finally been served for Darcy.
"Ohue was four times the blood alcohol limit when he crashed into the car Darcy and I were travelling in. If he had not been drinking and driving and speeding that night, our lives would be very different right now.
"The reckless actions of one man last year have changed the lives of so many – Darcy's immediate and extended family, her boyfriend Ben and his family, Darcy's work colleagues as well as her many friends.
"We are relieved that not only is he off the roads for now, but he is also behind bars.
Footage of the moment Ohue was arrested
"I know that no sentence could ever adequately offer justice for the loss of my beautiful daughter and for the life I now live without her, but a sentence such as this tells the world that her life mattered and that getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol is never worth the risk."
Mrs Bruce thanked the police, paramedics, members of the public and team at King's College Hospital for their actions on the night, before adding: "We will never forget Darcy and we hope her legacy will live on through all those who knew and loved her."
Ohue, of Church Road, Greenhithe , was today jailed for nine years after admitting to causing death by careless driving whilst over the drink drive limit.
He also admitted another charge of causing death whilst driving without insurance.
The 40-year-old's actions after the crash were slammed as "appalling" by police, where he claimed Darcy was "faking" her injuries before attempting to film paramedics treating her.
Ohue's decision to get behind the wheel, while being more than four times the legal limit, has been described by police as "selfish".
Police on patrol nearby heard the crash and arrived quickly at the scene where he told officers the driver of the Vauxhall was drunk and had pulled out into the road from a junction in front of him.
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.
"His behaviour after the collision was beyond appalling..."
Forensic investigation revealed Ohue was travelling at between 48mph and 51mph when his Volkswagen Touareg smashed into the Vauxhall in the 30mph zone.
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.
At the time of her death, her family paid tribute to their "beautiful girl" after what they described as "an unending bad dream".
Floral tributes lined the street where the crash happened and more than £18,000 in donations for the family were raised.
