Learner driver Danielle Cooper, 19, of Epworth, North Lincolnshire was so "engrossed" in her mobile phone she didn't apply the brakes while driving from Belton to Epworth at 12:50 am when she lost control on an "innocuous" right-hand bend at Brick House Farm on the outskirts of Belton.
Leaving no evidence of braking or steering, she smashed the car into a wall in a head-on collision, badly damaging the car and leaving the windscreen smashed. Additionally, as both backseat passengers weren't wearing seatbelts, they were thrown forwards at break-neck speeds, with one female passenger being wedged between the two front seats.
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The passenger was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary for intensive care, where she was treated for bleeding and bruising to the brain; fractures to the base of the neck, spine, ribs and jaws; lacerations to her forehead, temple and hand.
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Prosecutor Jeremy Evans said: "It was not believed that she would survive the nature of her injuries." The female passenger had suffered "life-threatening and life-changing injuries" in the accident, the court was told.
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Mr Evans told Grimsby Crown Court that Cooper was not driving with L plates on the car at the time. A judge said the victims' lives had been "turned upside down" and that the consequences of Cooper's actions were "catastrophic," adding 'it's pure chance you didn't kill someone'.
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Cooper admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, having no insurance and driving unsupervised with only a provisional licence. Cooper was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months and was banned from driving for three years and nine months. She must pass an extended test.
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (AP) — An off-duty New York Police Department officer who was among four killed when a drunk driver plowed into a nail salon on Long Island last month was laid to rest Saturday.
Hundreds gathered for the funeral at a funeral home in New Hyde Park for Emilia Rennhack, including scores of officers from the city police force, Newsday reported.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, called the 30-year-old Deer Park resident “the best of our city," saying she had immigrated from Poland to pursue the American dream and dedicated her life so others could do the same, the newspaper reports.
Her husband, Carl Rennhack remembered her as a “pillar” of the community and lamented that the couple had “so many more plans” for their future.
Rennhack had been on the police force since 2018 and was stationed at a precinct in Queens, where her husband also worked as a detective. She was the only customer killed in the June 28 crash at the Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park.
The other victims were salon co-owner Jiancai Chen, 37, and employees Yan Xu, 41, and Meizi Zhang, 50, all from Queens. Nine others were also injured.
Police said Steven Schwally, 64, had been speeding through the parking lot when he drove his SUV through the front of the salon.
He pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated at his arraignment Monday. Bail was set at $1 million cash, $2 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond.
Prosecutors say Schwally told police he drank 18 beers the night before the crash and didn't stop drinking until about 4 a.m. The Marine Corps veteran, who has been living at local motel at the time of the crash, is due back in court July 12.
Emergency personnel respond to a scene after a vehicle drove into Hawaii Nail & Spa, killing and injuring multiple people Friday, June 28, 2024, in Deer Park, N.Y. (Steve Pfost/Newsday via AP)
Emergency personnel respond to a scene after a vehicle drove into Hawaii Nail & Spa, killing and injuring multiple people Friday, June 28, 2024, in Deer Park, N.Y. (Steve Pfost/Newsday via AP)
