Driver jailed for 18 years after fatal 90mph crash in Worcester

This afternoon, Joe-Lewis Tyler, 34, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for causing a fatal car crash at 90mph, which resulted in the deaths of three people, including a six-year-old boy.

The tragedy occurred in Spetchley, Worcester, in February when Tyler’s vehicle collided with a taxi on a 50mph road section. The taxi had just picked up six-year-old Leo Painter from school. Leo succumbed to his injuries in hospital after the collision.

Courtney Hemming, the 26-year-old taxi driver, had collected Leo and Claire Adkins, 39, who was escorting him home. Hemming, a mother-of-one, and Adkins, a mother-of-three, died instantly when Tyler’s BMW struck their Ford Mondeo.

Tyler had been drinking heavily before the crash. A court heard he consumed pints of lager and shots in a pub and was over the alcohol limit. Tests also revealed he had taken cocaine and cannabis.

The court learned that Tyler, with no fixed address, had two near-miss incidents on the A44 near Worcester before the crash. He had been drinking at the West Midlands Tavern in Worcester. A bartender estimated he consumed around five pints of lager and several shots before being asked to leave for being disruptive.

A witness described how Tyler’s BMW nearly veered into her car after hitting standing water on the road. Tyler lost control of the borrowed BMW, which had expired insurance, about 90 minutes before the crash.

Post-collision analysis showed Tyler’s blood alcohol content was between 103 and 215mg per 100ml, well above the legal limit of 80mg.

Judge James Burbidge KC stated that Ms Hemming could not have anticipated Tyler’s speed, given the rainy conditions and partially flooded roads. Both Ms Hemming and Mrs Adkins were killed instantly, while Leo died shortly after arriving at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Tyler and his passenger sustained serious injuries and were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where Tyler required spinal surgery.

In court, Tyler received 18 years for causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing death while uninsured. He admitted the charges last month.

Judge Burbidge criticised Tyler’s disregard for driving conditions and his “cavalier” attitude to safety. He noted that both vehicles were in good condition and blamed the crash solely on Tyler’s driving.

“Your actions caused catastrophic injuries to Courtney, Claire, and Leo, and they could not be saved,” Judge Burbidge said. He emphasised the devastating impact on the victims’ families, who are left bereft.

Tyler was also banned from driving for 17 years and must pass an extended retest before driving again. The judge acknowledged Tyler’s lack of previous driving convictions and prison experience but emphasised the lasting consequences of his actions in Worcester.

Ms Hemming’s mother, Michelle, expressed her grief in a statement through West Mercia Police. “Justice has been served, but that doesn’t change things for us. We will forever miss our beautiful cousin Claire and my daughter Courtney. Little Leo will always be looked after by those girls as they loved him.”

The judge specified that Tyler must serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Leo had been living with foster carers in Kidderminster and was due to be reunited with his mother, Gemma Painter, the following month. Ms Painter received the heartbreaking call about Leo’s injuries and rushed to the hospital, only to find he had already passed away.

“Leo was a wonderful little boy, always smiling and full of fun. I’m heartbroken that I won’t see him again,” Ms Painter said in an earlier statement.