Greater Manchester mum urging drivers to think twice, after son killed by dangerous driver
18-year-old Marcus Simmons-Allen, was hit in Altrincham, by a car travelling at around twice the speed limit
The family of a teenager who was killed by a dangerous driver is backing a new campaign urging motorists to take more care on darker nights and reduce the harm caused to pedestrians on Greater Manchester’s roads.
Marcus Simmons-Allen, 18, was crossing the road after dark with a friend when he was hit by a car travelling at around twice the speed limit on George Richards Way in Altrincham.
The collision happened two years ago near to Marcus’ home in Broadheath - it was his mother, Paula Allen who found her injured son after being alerted to the crash by his friend.
Marcus was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died the following day on October 11, 2021.
Paula and her family’s lives were never the same again and they are still trying to process the traumatic circumstances of Marcus’ death.
The family are now backing the Safer Roads Partnership’s latest campaign called ‘Last Steps’, aimed at reducing the number of pedestrians harmed on the Greater Manchester’s roads as the nights become darker.
Marcus’ story and last steps
“Marcus was such a good kid and my first-born son,” said his mum Paula.
“He was always laughing and joking, banter was just his thing, and like many lads his age, he was always out with his mates. He was such a big character in all our lives.
“Marcus had so many hopes and ambitions for the future – that was all cruelly taken away from him on the night of the collision.”
On the night of October 10, 2021, Marcus had met a friend for a short walk near to his home in Broadheath. They were crossing George Richards Way when a speeding driver came towards them. Marcus’ friend attempted to pull him out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, but Marcus was struck and critically injured. Police say the driver had been travelling between 55 and 67 mph, around twice the 30mph limit.
His friend ran for help and found Paula, who lived only a short distance away. They then went back to the scene of the crash, found Marcus and called the emergency services.
Recalling that night, Paula said: “Time seemed to stand still and I just held my injured son in my arms.
“A man stopped to help and it turned out he was a surgeon. He said Marcus’ pulse was very faint and he started to perform CPR. I was trying to console Marcus’ friend, he was hysterical as he had tried to save Marcus and witnessed the whole thing.”
Marcus was taken to Salford Royal Hospital and cared for in the intensive care unit, but his life couldn’t be saved. He died the following day on Monday, 11 October 2021.
Paula, who has two younger daughters, describes the impact of Marcus’ death as ‘horrific’.
She said: “Leaving Marcus at Salford Royal was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.
“I felt like I was abandoning him and I just fell to pieces. I was a wreck.
“But at the same time, I had to carry on for my family and my two younger daughters. We are all on our own journeys with our grief and I want to make sure that the girls know that they still can have the same hopes and dreams that Marcus did.
“But things like annual celebrations are still so difficult, especially things like Halloween and Christmas because Marcus loved those times so much.
“The ripple-effect caused by a fatal collision extends beyond immediate family; the loss of Marcus is still felt by the community and his group of friends, who he spent so much time with over the years. They have been devastated by his death and people continue to lay flowers and tributes at the scene of the crash even now.
“I would never want another family to go through what we have and I would urge all drivers to take extra care on darker nights and always keep a look out for pedestrians crossing the road.”*
The Last Steps campaign
The Safer Roads Last Steps campaign urges drivers to take extra care on the roads and look carefully for pedestrians crossing the road as the nights become darker.
As part of the campaign, Paula and her family have agreed to share images of Marcus and the trainers he was wearing on the night of the crash, to illustrate the human cost of reckless driving.
In 2022 alone, 25 pedestrians were killed on Greater Manchester’s roads, amounting to 39% of all fatalities.
Meanwhile, 123 pedestrians were killed and 1,004 were seriously injured between 2017 and 2021 across the same area.
Research has shown that children, young people and elderly people are more likely to be involved in serious collisions.
Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Head of Highways, said: “What Marcus and his family have suffered as a result of dangerous driving that night is truly heartbreaking, and they will never get their loved one back.
“Sadly, their story is not the only one and in the following year, 2022, a further 25 people were killed crossing Greater Manchester’s roads.
“These numbers are far too high and as the nights become darker, I would urge all drivers to take extra care and always keep an eye out for people on the road.
“If you drive, make sure you stay alert and look out for pedestrians in the dark.”
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Police, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, said: “It’s devastating to read stories like Paula’s which could have so easily been avoided.
“As darker nights roll in and conditions become more dangerous on our roads, we must all take steps to be more careful and alert when driving, and think of others who may be also using the road.
“I would urge everyone to get behind the Last Steps campaign and do all they can to make our streets a safer place. If it can save anyone going through what Marcus's family had to experience it will be a success, and I’m very grateful to them for bravely sharing their story for this campaign.”
Superintendent Gareth Parkin of GMP’s Safer Transport Unit added: “Careless or dangerous driving can have devastating consequences, as Marcus Simmons-Allen’s story has shown, and the risk to pedestrians is even higher on darker nights.
“I would urge drivers to always look carefully for pedestrians and of course always watch your speed.
“We are backing the Last Steps campaign as part of our commitment to ridding the road of careless drivers and we hope it reminds all drivers to stay extra alert on dark evenings.”
Top tips for safe driving in the dark
Look carefully: Keep an extra eye out for pedestrians, as they’re much harder to spot in the dark.
Be patient: Give people the time they need to cross the road at junctions and crossings.
Watch your speed: Take your time, look out for unexpected movements, and be ready to stop safely. Most pedestrian collisions take place in a 30mph zone.
Stay alert: Take extra care around schools and residential areas. Don’t drive if you’re too tired.
Check your vehicle: Keep your windows and mirrors clean and clear of condensation and frost. Make sure all your lights are working and you’re using them right.
In addition, under recent changes to the Highway Code, drivers at a junction should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road.
Drivers should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.