Man who killed teenage girl in 80mph crash jailed

A man who was driving at 30mph over the speed limit when he caused a "devastating collision" that killed a teenage girl has been jailed.

Thomas Sherwood reached speeds of 80mph in a BMW M3 on Selby Road, Leeds, when he crashed into a Seat Mii that was turning right out of the junction on Swillington Lane in August 2022.

A passenger in the Seat, Georgia Bendelow, 18, was airlifted to hospital but died two days later and her mother and boyfriend also suffered serious injuries.

Sherwood, 36, of Tranquility Avenue, Cross Gates, Leeds, was found guilty of death by dangerous driving following a trial and sentenced to 14 years in prison at Leeds Crown Court earlier.

He was also found guilty of two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Sherwood previously admitted causing death while driving a car that was uninsured.

The court heard police were called at 18:41 GMT on 31 August 2022 to a report of a collision on the eastbound carriageway of the A63 Selby Road near Swillington Common and Sherwood was arrested at the scene.

As well as his prison sentence he was also banned from driving for 14 years and must pass an extended retest to regain his licence.

Following Sherwood's sentence, the victim's family released a statement which said: "Whilst today's judgement goes some way towards bringing justice for the killing of our daughter Georgia, there is nothing that can ever bring her back or make up for her loss from this world.

"Since losing her, the lives of her family and friends have been changed forever. The silence she has left behind is overwhelming and every day is a reminder of the future that was taken from her and from all of those who loved her."

Det Sgt Steve Suggitt, of West Yorkshire Police's Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: "The sad fact is that speed kills. Had Sherwood been driving safely at the speed limit that evening in August 2022 then Georgia would still be with her friends and family now.

"Georgia's mother and boyfriend were also seriously injured, suffering multiple fractured bones.

"While they continue to improve physically, they will always live with the mental toll of this crash and Sherwood also tried to apportion blame for the collision on Georgia's mother, further exacerbating her distress."

He added: "Sherwood has had more than three years to accept responsibility for his actions and has refused to, maintaining that his driving was not dangerous. The jury did not accept this, and he was found guilty of all offences.

"He has been jailed today, and I hope that provides some amount of comfort to the many people who have been affected by this devastating collision."

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