See what transpired when a “death wish” driver struck a cab, killing two women and a baby, in this horrific footage.
After being asked to leave a bar with a friend for excessive drinking, 34-year-old Joe-Lewis Tyler drove a BMW 3 Series.
Tyler crashed a cab on Worcester’s Spetchley Road while driving erratically and fast due to his lack of insurance.
Tyler struck the vehicle shortly after 3 p.m. Six-year-old Leo Painter had just been picked up from school.
Both the 39-year-old Claire Adkins and the 26-year-old cab driver Courney Hemming perished at the spot while transporting Leo to his foster home.
Leo was rushed to the hospital immediately away, but his injuries proved fatal the following day.
Tyler was apprehended and tested at the crime scene. He tested positive for alcohol up to 215 mg/100 ml, over the 80 mg/100 ml legal limit.
His 159 milliliters, over twice the legal limit, were discovered during a routine test.
His blood also contained high concentrations of weed and cocaine.
Tyler entered a guilty plea to three charges of reckless driving resulting in death. After breaking his shin and requiring back surgery, he was admitted to the hospital and kept there for three weeks.
He was given an 18-year prison sentence at Worcester Crown Court today, May 8.
Judge James Burbidge KC claimed that Tyler had been “racing himself.” “It’s hard to think of a worse piece of prolonged driving,” he added.
In addition, Tyler admitted to three counts of killing someone while driving without insurance and one count of driving recklessly and gravely injuring someone.
Tyler earned £100 on the fruit machines at the West Midlands Tavern in Worcester, where he was spotted drinking with his friend Miles Smith-Green.
They drank four shots of Sambuca and Jagerbombs and five pints of lager before they were ejected from the pub for being too noisy.
They then jumped in the BMW and headed rapidly in the direction of Evesham, Badsey, and Worcestershire.
Another person claimed Tyler was traveling so quickly that she was “fearful for her safety,” while a third person claimed Tyler nearly struck her automobile at a speed of 100 mph.
She described the terrifying near miss as a “near death experience.”
Tyler was described as “driving like an idiot” and feeling “dead” by another person.
According to testimony given in court, Mr. Smith-Green, who was riding with him, also suffered severe injuries, including a dislocated hip and a ruptured spleen.
Tyler denied driving carelessly and claimed he “didn’t know how the accident happened,” according to prosecutor Simon Phillips.
Tyler’s attorney, Adam Western, stated that Tyler understood “he was to blame for the devastation he caused.” Tyler had a daughter who was six years old.
He said that individuals who are murdered or injured, together with their families, are the only ones who are victims.
Months before Leo passed away, his 28-year-old mother Gemma expressed her excitement about having her son back in the house.
After the sentence, she remarked, “After five months of hard work, I’m glad this is over.” Although he received justice, it is never enough. It will never be able to bring my adorable little baby back.
“I sincerely hope Tyler is able to acknowledge that he killed three innocent people.”
Leo’s father, Jason, expressed his disdain and anger against Tyler’s behavior. He added that he was left with “a massive void” in his life as a result of losing his son.
“Tyler’s selfish and careless actions on the afternoon of February 22 have left Leo, Courtney, and Claire’s family and friends forever heartbroken and the community shaken,” stated Officer-Chief Andy Wortley of the West Mercia Police.
“The length of the sentence he received is exceptional and demonstrates the extent of the harm he committed that day when operating a motor vehicle. I’m relieved that he will now serve a longer sentence in jail.
“Despite entering a guilty plea, Tyler hasn’t expressed regret or accepted accountability for his actions.”