Taxi driver kills teenager while dangerous driving

A 39 year old taxi driver with a string of previous motoring offences was convicted of killing a teenager while dangerous driving at Newcastle Crown Court recently.

David Baillie struck 17 year old Sarah Jane Burke as she walked home from college in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.

As Baillie was described as performing an aggressive overtaking manoeuvre in his Volvo, witnesses commented that he looked like a 'road rage driver who looked like he thought he 'owned the road'.

The talented teenager was enjoying an art and design course at college but on the fateful day when Baillie was focused on overtaking a Vauxhall Corsa, Sarah Jane Burke suffered catastrophic injuries.

Tossed into the air when Baillie's Volvo hit her, Sarah Jane was crossing the road when the vehicle threw her more than 20 metres causing multiple fractures and brain trauma.

Medics arrived on the scene within minutes but Sarah lost her battle for life just five days later, leaving her family devastated.

In a police interview, Baillie initially admitted 'dangerous driving', saying that he was paying more attention to the motorist in the Vauxhall Corsa than the road ahead.

However, after Miss Burke died of her injuries, Baillie is reported in the Daily Mail to have 'changed his mind', instead claiming that his driving had been careless and not dangerous.

Previously convicted of around ten other motoring offences including two for dangerous driving, Baillie has even served time in prison for driving while disqualified, no insurance and theft of motor vehicles.

If you have committed a driving offence and need representation, call our lawyers on 01302 360606 or contact us at mail@jpdoncaster.co.uk  and we will get back to you.

GV Hale & Co

Doncaster driving solicitors