The horrendous crash in April last year, which killed 18 year old Bethany Jones, was down to failures in James Johnson’s decisions made on the road and the fact he shouldn’t have been driving following a stroke, Leeds Crown Court found.
Johnson, 64, was sentenced to six months and eight years.
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The women in the party were set for a night out in Liverpool to celebrate the up-coming wedding of Stephanie Firth.
Following the horrific crash, it was feared Stephanie would never walk again but incredibly, she recovered and later married.
The mini bus was hit by a lorry, driven by Kevin Ollerhead, 45, but he was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving last month.
During the sentencing Judge Guy Kearl QC said Johnson’s vehicle was travelling at such a slow pace, the vehicle carrying the women had become “a sitting duck” and that it was “an accident waiting to happen.”
He added: “Your passengers were 20 females aged between 18 and 59 years. They were going on a night out, a hen night. They were mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. Each of them had put themselves in your hands to carry them safely to their destination.
“There was an apparent disregard to the great danger posed to others, both on the road and in your coach. You had flagrantly disregarded the rules of the road by driving so slowly.”
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“This event has devastated their lives and those of their husbands, partners, their parents and their boyfriends. It has devastated their lives physically, emotionally and, in some cases, financially.”
The parents of Bethany Jones spoke of their “fun, bubbly girl” after the tragic incident.
They added: She was caring and considerate to everyone she met. She was the apple of her grandad’s eye and she will never be forgotten and will be sadly missed by everyone.”
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