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Death crash driver Katie Foster jailed after 'using mobile phone' | Death crash driver Katie Foster jailed after 'using mobile phone' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A driver who had been using her phone seconds before crashing into a car, killing a man about to donate a kidney to his brother, has been jailed. | |
Katie Foster was at the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo which hit 36-year-old Lee Cain's Peugeot 206 near West Auckland, County Durham, in March 2016. | Katie Foster was at the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo which hit 36-year-old Lee Cain's Peugeot 206 near West Auckland, County Durham, in March 2016. |
She had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. | She had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. |
At Durham Crown Court the 20-year-old was sentenced to seven months in a young offenders institution. | At Durham Crown Court the 20-year-old was sentenced to seven months in a young offenders institution. |
Foster, of Carisbrooke Crescent, Bishop Auckland, who was 18 at the time, sent a text message 25 seconds before the fatal collision, and received one nine seconds before on her phone which was under her leg. | |
Mr Cain, of West Cornforth, County Durham, who was described in court as a "loving, funny and generous man", died from injuries he sustained when his car overturned several times after being struck. | Mr Cain, of West Cornforth, County Durham, who was described in court as a "loving, funny and generous man", died from injuries he sustained when his car overturned several times after being struck. |
Foster had previously denied a charge of causing Mr Cain's death by dangerous driving. Instead the Crown accepted a plea of guilty to causing death by careless driving. | Foster had previously denied a charge of causing Mr Cain's death by dangerous driving. Instead the Crown accepted a plea of guilty to causing death by careless driving. |
She told the court she accepted driving too close to vehicles in front of her, braking late and swerving into the opposite carriageway, colliding with Mr Cain's oncoming Peugeot. | She told the court she accepted driving too close to vehicles in front of her, braking late and swerving into the opposite carriageway, colliding with Mr Cain's oncoming Peugeot. |
She suffered injuries to her back and neck, but her three passengers were unhurt. | She suffered injuries to her back and neck, but her three passengers were unhurt. |
A family friend read out a statement from Mr Cain's mother Gail, in which she said the night of her son's death was the worst in her life. | A family friend read out a statement from Mr Cain's mother Gail, in which she said the night of her son's death was the worst in her life. |
She added he had wanted to donate a kidney needed by his brother, Bradley, but his untimely death prevented it. | She added he had wanted to donate a kidney needed by his brother, Bradley, but his untimely death prevented it. |
That meant their father, Brian, at the age of 70, had to step in for the transplant. | That meant their father, Brian, at the age of 70, had to step in for the transplant. |
Foster was also disqualified for more than 15 months and must pass an extended test. | Foster was also disqualified for more than 15 months and must pass an extended test. |
Outside the court, acting Sgt Mark Shepherd of Durham Police said: "A young girl has had her liberty taken away. But we have to remember that she took someone's life. | Outside the court, acting Sgt Mark Shepherd of Durham Police said: "A young girl has had her liberty taken away. But we have to remember that she took someone's life. |
"It could not be proved that she was on her phone at the time of the collision, but we do know that she was using it and generally distracted." | "It could not be proved that she was on her phone at the time of the collision, but we do know that she was using it and generally distracted." |
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