After Identifying My Son in the Morgue, I Faced a Harrowing Turn of Events
Ben Rogers died in May 2022 as a result of a fatal crash caused by speeding driver Owain Hammett-George. Hammett-George, then 17, was driving his new Alfa Romeo at least 70mph in a 30mph zone while showing off. The crash killed Ben, along with Kaitlyn Davies, 19, and seriously injured Casey Thomas, leaving her in intensive care for nearly a month. Hammett-George had previously pleaded not guilty, but later admitted to causing the deaths by dangerous driving. The prosecution barrister highlighted that the crash was due to Hammett-George driving at "grossly excessive speeds". The impact of the crash was devastating, with all three passengers being thrown from the car, and witnesses describing it as the worst collision damage they had ever seen.
The families of the victims were left devastated and in shock by the tragic event. Ben's mother, Carla King, received the heartbreaking news from the police in the early hours of the morning, describing the moment as something she couldn't comprehend. She later visited the morgue to identify her son, seeing him in a state that was unrecognizable. Hammett-George had been warned about his speeding by his relatives, even receiving a speeding fine just days after passing his driving test. His parents, despite their concerns, had given him an expensive fast car, leading the judge to criticize them for overindulging him. The families have expressed their disappointment with the sentence given to Hammett-George and have appealed for a longer term. If not for Hammett-George's age at the time of the offence, the judge would have sentenced him to the maximum term of 14 years.
In memory of Ben, his family chose to honor him with a bench at his favorite spot by the beach. The bench carries the message "Be More Ben", reflecting his kind and non-judgmental nature. The family plans to campaign for motoring and education changes in Ben's memory, advocating for measures such as mandatory black boxes for new drivers and restricted licenses for the first 12 months. The tragic incident underscores the risks of excessive speeding, particularly for young male drivers. According to statistics, male drivers aged between 17 to 24 are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a road traffic collision than older drivers.
The impact of this devastating crash extends beyond the victims and their families to the broader community. The court proceedings revealed the series of events leading up to the fatal crash, from warnings about speeding to the tragic aftermath. Witness testimonies and evidence painted a harrowing picture of the collision and its aftermath. The families of the victims, including Ben's mother, Carla King, are still grappling with the loss and devastation caused by the reckless actions of Hammett-George. The tragic loss of young lives serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of speeding and the need for stricter measures to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
https://therealcrimediary.com/after-identifying-my-son-in-the-morgue-i-faced-a-harrowing-turn-of-events/?feed_id=33849&_unique_id=6631789a6c8e7
Comments
Post a Comment