New Mother Spared Jail After Killing Cab Driver in Head-On Collision

A new mother who killed a taxi driver in a head-on collision while driving on the wrong side of the road has avoided prison. Erica Buenor, 35, crashed into Arthur Pountney, 77, as he drove his taxi in Kidbrooke, south-east London, in the early hours of June 9, 2023.

Mr. Pountney, a grandfather of five who had chronic heart issues, sustained injuries including a fractured clavicle and broken ribs. Though his injuries were not initially deemed life-threatening, they increased pressure on his heart, and he died of cardiac arrest in the hospital two days later.

The court heard that Buenor, a mother of three, had suffered a "momentary lapse in concentration" after breastfeeding and working all day with little sleep. A crash investigator determined that the taxi was in Buenor's line of sight for 13 seconds before the collision.

Buenor, who had previously worked as an intelligence researcher for British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police, admitted to causing death by careless driving on the first day of her trial in July. Her van, hired for a wedding catered by her family business, rolled 100 meters before coming to a stop.

During the sentencing, Mr. Pountney's daughter, Angela Vale, described the death as a "devastating shock" to her mother, who had been married to Mr. Pountney for 56 years. She explained that her mother had to move to a care home, and the family sold their home to fund the costs. "In a very short time frame, she lost her way of life, her husband, and her independence," Vale stated.

Adam Butler, defending Buenor, conveyed his client's apology to Mr. Pountney's family, expressing her deep remorse and guilt. He noted that Buenor understood the impact of her actions was far greater on the Pountney family.

Judge Rebecca Trowler KC acknowledged that no sentence could bring back Arthur Pountney or comfort his grieving family. She recognized Buenor's remorse, her role as a mother to three young children, and the potential harm imprisonment could cause them. The judge concluded that the collision resulted from a "substantial lapse in concentration" due to Buenor being deprived of adequate sleep and rest.

Buenor was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. She received a four-year driving ban and was ordered to perform 90 hours of unpaid community work, with a reduction due to childcare commitments. She was also ordered to pay court costs of £1,630. Buenor, who has no previous convictions, admitted to one count of causing death by careless driving.