Drunk driver, 33, downed pints before stealing BMW & killing six-year-old boy & two women in 90mph crash outside school
A DRUNK driver downed pints in a pub before stealing a car and killing a six-year-old boy and two women in a horror crash.
Joe-Lewis Tyler, 34, was driving a stolen BMW 3 Series when he crashed into little Leo Painter outside a school in February.
Mum-of-one Courtney Hemming, 26, and Claire Adkins, 39, were also killed after Tyler ploughed into their Ford Mondeo on the A44 in Spetchley, Worcestershire, in February earlier this year.
They had picked up Leo from school and were taking him home, but had “no time to react” when Tyler crashed into the side of their car at 3.09pm.
Courtney, who had been due to get married and has a nine-year-old son, and Claire were pronounced dead at the scene.
Leo was rushed to hospital, but also died from his injuries a short time later.
Tyler had been involved in two near-misses in the minutes before the fatal crash after leaving the West Midlands Tavern.
A bartender estimated he had downed around five pints of lager and four rounds of Sambuca and Jagermeister shots before he and his friend were asked to leave for being too loud.
Tyler was yesterday jailed for 18 years at Worcester Crown Court.
He had earlier admitted three counts of both causing death by dangerous driving and driving while uninsured.
The court earlier heard heard he was driving a stolen BMW when he crashed into the Ford Mondeo containing all three victims.
A driver who witnessed the BMW before the fatal crash said she feared for her life as the vehicle hit standing water on the road and nearly veered into her.
On another occasion, Tyler lost control and “spun” the BMW, which he had borrowed from someone else.
The temporary insurance had ran out around 90 minutes before the fatal crash, as he tried to negotiate a turn.
Tyler had somewhere between 103 and 215mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, over the legal limit of 80mg per 100ml.
He had also previously taken cocaine and cannabis.
Leo’s mum Gemma said she has been left “broken” by her son’s death.
She told the BBC: “He changed my life when I had him and I just want to make sure he knows how much he was loved and how much he will be remembered by everyone.”
Passing sentence, Judge James Burbidge, said Tyler had “taken no heed” to the poor driving conditions on the day and displayed a “cavalier” attitude to safety.
He added: “Both the BMW and Mondeo were in good condition and so the only cause of the collision was your atrocious driving – in other words, how you chose to drive.
“You caused catastrophic injuries to Courtney, Claire and Leo and from those injuries they could not be saved.
“In your prepared statement to police, you said you believed you were driving normally, but the collision report estimates you were driving about 90mph in a 50mph limit and the car was stuck in sixth gear.
“I’m grateful for the photos of each victim I have been given because it is important for the court to remember the vibrant lives of those who have been taken.
“Courtney was looking forward to being married, her son has been left without a mother at the age of nine.
“Claire’s three lads, now without a mother. Leo had barely started his life, aged six.
“Your actions have had a devastating effect on the victims and the various family members who have suffered as a result of your dangerous and selfish actions. They will remain bereft.”
In a statement released through West Mercia Police, Courtney’s mum Michelle added: “Justice has been served but that doesn’t change things for us.
“We will forever miss our beautiful cousin Claire and my daughter Courtney.
“Little Leo will always be looked after by those girls as they loved him, if it wasn’t for him I don’t think either of them would have stayed in their job. I just wish today’s outcome could bring them back.”
A sculpture trail was constructed last month in tribute to Leo.
Abigail’s Place School, where Leo attended, will have a dedicated penguin chick artwork on the Waddle of Worcester trail.
The school’s executive lead Sally Yafai told the BBC: “Leo was our sunshine. He brought joy and light into the hearts of everyone he met with a mischievous sparkle in his eye.
“Understandably we’ve all felt a great deal of sadness following the crash, but it felt only right that our sculpture captured the positivity that Leo emanated.”
Sara Matthews, from the local St Richard’s Hospice, added: “Leo’s tragic death, alongside the driver and travel assistant, brought sadness to many across the county but particularly to those who knew and loved them most.
“Painting a sculpture in memory of their friend, Leo, and remembering all the love and laughter he brought with him is an important part of the school’s grief journey.
“At the end of the trail their penguin will return to them as its forever home and a lasting tribute to a lovely little boy.”