Grantham man jailed for causing the death of teenage girl by dangerous driving
The fatal collision happened in June last year
A Grantham man who caused the death of a 17-year-old girl by dangerous driving has been sentenced to more than 8 years in prison.
The fatal collision happened in Denton in last year.
21-year-old Jack Burkhill was driving a grey Hyundai I30 on the evening of Friday the 9th of June 2023.
He'd been travelling with 17-year-old Felicity Pacey and two others heading towards Woolsthorpe - when they were involved in collision at Denton shortly before 11pm.
Felicity died at the scene that evening, while the others in the vehicle received medical treatment.
Mr Burkhill of Seventh Avenue, Grantham, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
The court hear Burkhill had passed his driving test some 21 months prior to the collision; he had owned the car for less than three weeks.
From witness evidence it is believed he had been driving in excess of 100 mph as he drove down the country road. He drove over a humped bridge too fast and lost control of his vehicle on the approach to a right-hand bend.
While it was not possible to determine the exact levels of alcohol in his system at the time of the collision, alcohol would have impaired Burkhill’s ability to drive safely on a public road.
Felicity's family have paid tribute to her:
"Our beautiful, sweet Fliss was a beacon of light in our lives. Born with an infectious smile and an insatiable curiosity, she touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She was full of life until it was tragically taken away from her at the age of 17.
"Beyond her infectious spirit, Fliss was remarkably intelligent and was training to become a financial advisor. She was a perfectionist in everything she put her mind to and would only give 100%. An example of this is where she proudly beat her siblings and passed her driving test with zero minors. As parents we were always proud of her in all her achievements.
"As a sibling, Fliss was the youngest, but she often seemed like the oldest because of her wisdom and maturity beyond her years. She was fearless and incredibly independent. Her siblings Ethan and Rhiannah looked up to her for guidance and support.
"In her spare time, Fliss dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the gym, fitness was her passion, and she took great pride in how she looked.
"Fliss was also a true animal lover and adored her two Rottweilers, Tilly and Nala. Every night before bed, she would give them a kiss goodnight, a simple act that showed the depth of her love and care for her babies.
"Fliss also loved her friends deeply; they meant the world to her. She cherished every moment spent with them, always bringing joy and laughter into her world. Her friends were an extension of her family, and she was always there to support and uplift them in times of need.
"The loss of Fliss is an unimaginable tragedy for our family. Her absence leaves a void that can never be filled, we will forever be lost without her, but her memory will forever live on in our hearts. We remember her as a loving daughter and sister, a loyal friend, and a compassionate soul who brought joy and love into our lives every single day.
"We urge everyone to remember Fliss's story and to honour her memory by making safe and responsible choices. Drunk driving and speeding are reckless actions that can have devastating consequences. Let us work together to prevent such tragedies and to ensure that no other family has to endure the heartache we are experiencing."