A young student's life was tragically cut short when a driver travelling at more than double the speed limit struck and killed her while she was walking her dog in Quinton.
A Life Lost to Dangerous Driving
Lucy Atkins, 19, had just successfully completed her first year at Cardiff University and was enjoying a walk with her beloved Lakeland Terrier, Simba, on June 24 last year. The pair were on West Boulevard when the devastating incident occurred.
The driver, 34-year-old Danielle Mitten, was behind the wheel of a car that hit Lucy and Simba. Police investigations revealed that at the moment of impact, Mitten was driving at approximately 63mph. Shockingly, evidence showed she had been travelling at speeds of up to 82mph just prior to the collision on a road with a strict 40mph limit.
Legal Reckoning and Sentence
At court, Danielle Mitten entered a guilty plea to causing death by dangerous driving. The judge subsequently handed down a prison sentence of five years and four months for her actions.
In addition to her custodial term, the court imposed a driving disqualification lasting seven years and eight months. Mitten will also be required to pass an extended driving test before she is ever permitted to legally drive again.
A Family's Heartbreak and Message of Forgiveness
Lucy's grieving family paid emotional tribute to her, describing the vibrant student as a "force of nature" who was "loving, kind, and caring". They spoke of the immense and enduring pain her loss has inflicted upon them all.
In a remarkable act of compassion amidst their profound grief, Lucy's brother offered a message of forgiveness to the woman responsible for his sister's death. He expressed a wish that Mitten could find a way to move on with her life and honour Lucy's memory.
The family also shared their hope that by publicising the tragic consequences of this incident, it might prevent another family from suffering a similar loss. They stated that if the pain of their experience helps to stop someone else from driving dangerously, then Lucy's death will "not have been in vain".
