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.
SEATTLE (AP) — Julio Rodríguez homered for the first time since June 15 and doubled, J.P. Crawford lined a tiebreaking three-run double, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-3 on Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep.
“It definitely felt great. Sometimes you got to go through tough stretches to wake up," Rodríguez said.
Seattle’s slumping offense broke out in a big way and it was the Mariners' best player leading the charge. Mired in a slump at the plate, Rodríguez hit an 0-2 pitch from Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes an estimated 428 feet to center field in the fifth inning for his eighth homer to pull Seattle to 2-1.
Two innings later, Rodríguez keyed Seattle’s five-run seventh inning with a line drive double off Baltimore reliever Bryan Baker. The Mariners eventually loaded the bases against Baker (1-1) and with two outs and Crawford cleared them after Keegan Akin fell behind in the count.
Crawford is hitting .636 with 37 RBIs with the bases loaded over the past two seasons.
“In my opinion, what J.P. does is he puts the pressure on the guy on the mound, he doesn't put that on himself. And you can see that," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “He has a great idea of the strike zone so he's not going to chase in those situations too often and when he lets the game come to him that's when it really works for him.”
Mitch Garver capped Seattle’s offensive burst with a two-run homer, his 11th of the season.
“Really poorly pitched seventh there,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said.
Rodríguez’s slump coincided with Seattle’s slide that has seen the Mariners' 10-game lead in the AL west dwindle to just two. In the previous 14 games, Rodríguez had zero RBIs and zero extra-base hits.
Rodríguez appeared to jam his right thumb making a catch in center field in the sixth inning while fighting the sun but remained in the game.
“After I moved it around a little bit, it went away,” Rodríguez said.
Seattle starter Bryce Miller managed to keep Baltimore’s offense in check, apart from All-Star Gunnar Henderson. Henderson doubled to open the game – although he was thrown out trying to advance to third – and hit a two-run shot for his 27th homer of the season.
Miller worked into the sixth, allowing only two runs and struck out six. Mariners relievers Austin Voth, Ryne Stanek (6-2), Trent Thornton and Andrés Muñoz made only one mistake when Jordan Westburg hit his 14th home run in the eighth.
Burnes made his first start since returning from the paternity list following additions to his family after his wife gave birth to twin girls. Burnes gave up Crawford’s single to begin the bottom of the first, then retired 12 straight before Rodríguez’s home run.
Burnes finished his outing with a dominant sixth inning, and allowed four hits and struck out six.
“Threw a few more pitches than wanted to but for the most part was pretty pleased with it,” Burnes said. “Didn't spin the ball as well as I wanted to but that could be attributed to the layoff.”
ROSTER MOVE
Seattle claimed OF Duke Ellis off waivers from the New York Mets and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma. Ellis has 34 stolen bases in 43 minor league games this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: RHP Bryan Woo (hamstring) is expected to make a rehab start at Single-A Everett sometime this weekend. He could be joined by RHP Gregory Santos as he moves closer to rejoining the Mariners.
UP NEXT
Orioles: RHP Albert Suarez (4-2, 2.43) will take the mound to open a three-game series in Oakland against the A’s.
Mariners: RHP Luis Castillo (6-9, 3.87) will start the opener of a three-game series against Toronto on Friday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford's hair flies after stealing second base against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller throws against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Baltimore Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander makes a diving catch on a fly ball hit by Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners left fielder Luke Raley, left, checks on center fielder Julio Rodríguez, right, holds his wrist after falling while catching a fly ball hit by Baltimore Orioles' Jordan Westburg during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais (9) arrives on the mound to pull starting pitcher Bryce Miller, center, against the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez holds a trident in the dugout after his solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez holds a trident in the dugout after his solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
