I will keep on fighting for justice for my son

[Cwhittall]

You will see from the photos that my son Zachary was killed in a car crash. He was a passenger in his best friends Luke's car. As they went to overtake a colleagues car Dan, Dan reacted in a competitive way and would not let them past. This resulted in the instant death of Zach and devasting injuries to Luke. Dan admitted responsibility in the 999 call, to the police at the scene and to a colleague during a phone call. For 18 months I have fought for justice for my sons death which resulted in a 4 day court trial at Leicester crown court on the 4th April 2016. Unfortunately the CPS who have acted appallingly throughout (complaint pending) decided at first to only charge Luke who was actually a victim so I campaigned for him not to be charged. Eventually both went to court charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Despite Dans admittance of guilt he was found not guilty. Dan shows absolutely no remorse for what he has done he has lied throughout and for 18 months following his first 3 comments has said "no comment" at the advice of his solicitor. I am utterly devastated by the my sons death and the fact that Dan goes unpunished . I read in the papers everyday that people have been punished with prison, fines, driving bans and restorative justice for crimes that have not resulted in the death of an innocent victim. Life for me is a constant, constant, constant injustice! Please help me and sign my petition www.change.org/p/uk-justice-system-justice-for-zach?recruiter=21342039&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

[PrudenceTheProcrastinator]

Stitch WTAF. OP's son was a passenger. How could he possibly be as much to blame as the other driver?

[t4gnut]

Very sad but it sounds like due legal process has been followed, and whilst a petition makes you feel like you're doing something it has no weight in the judicial system.

[PrudenceTheProcrastinator]

So Sorry OP. MN is full of absolute twats. You son was a victim of a horrendous crime. Anyone who cannot see that is not worth a minute of your time.

[Toffeelatteplease]

I'm sorry for your loss. But I wouldn't be able to sign your petition either.

Usually the onus us on the person in the car behind to ensure they can pass safely.

Sometimes we are doing more harm to ourselves by keeping something alive and for our own wellbeing you have to move on

[wheelofapps]

I think we can safely assume that the OP knows more about this than we do, having been party to the trial.
There are two clear admissions of guilt by Dan. However the Court didn't feel these were enough for a conviction. We don't know why.
The OP doesn't think the outcome was correct.

If you don't want to sign, then why not just leave some for the OP?

Can you even begin to imagine being in her shoes right now?

[KindDogsTail]

I cannot begin to imagine how you feel. I am very sorry.

Signed.

[MTPurse]

I am very sorry for Your loss Op, It seems like a racing incident which has gone terribly wrong

[wheelofapps]

Re 'moving on' - my Father died aged 22 in an RTA.
No one's fault just a tragic accident.
48 years later and he (and the accident) are remembered with pain (and love) by so many in his family.
You don't just 'move on'.
This was a recent and avoidable death of a lovely chap just starting out in life.

Show some understanding, for pity's sake?

[VagueIdeas]

I'm sorry for your devastating loss.

But I think it's unfair to place the blame solely at the feet of Dan. I know you are hurting and want to feel like justice has been done, but please remember that Dan (and indeed Luke) will have to live with the consequences of their behaviour for the rest of their lives. They were both driving dangerously.

I hope you can feel peace one day.

[PrudenceTheProcrastinator]

OP's son was a passenger and so had no control of the car whatsoever. His life was stolen in a totally avoidable accident.

ToffeeLatte . Anyone who tells someone who has lost a child to 'move on' is generally thought of as a complete idiot. HTH.

[firesidechat]

I should have said in my previous posts that I do have a huge amount of compassion for the op and it was a big error on my part not to have said that. Sorry op. However I'm not sure that a petition will help in these circumstances. It's a very sad waste of a life caused by two young drivers behaving recklessly.

[Hygge]

Mrs Whittall I am sorry for your loss, and I have signed your petition.

[MsBlandingsBuildsHerDreamHouse]

[LadyStoicIsBack]

VagueIdeas

'I know you are hurting and want to feel like justice has been done, but please remember that Dan (and indeed Luke) will have to live with the consequences of their behaviour for the rest of their lives'

Vague Luke is DEAD - he has NO 'rest of his life'. FFS

OP I'm sorry for your loss; I'm sorry some people are either dim or don't read threads properly, please don't let these strangers and their absurd views or (possibly worse, given the subject matter at hand) casual errors vis who was who get to you.

for you. I have 3 sons and cannot imagine the pain and horror of losing one of them.

[YummyDarkChocolate]

So sorry for your tragic loss, your son was a beautiful young man.

[firesidechat]

Luke is not dead. At least read the op properly Lady.

[TormundGiantsbabe]

lady Luke isn't dead.

[Iamcheeseman]

Lady pay attention. The OP's son is called Zachary. Luke was the driver of the car he was in.

OP I am really sorry for your situation but I think you might want to add more details as from the very limited information here it does come across as if both drivers hold responsibility for your son's death- sorry.

[IceMaiden73]

I am sorry for your loss

I lost a family member in a car accident aged 21 and it was devastating

However, it sounds like Luke & Dan were both to blame in this instance, and Zach was a passenger and got caught up in it. It is a tragic accident, but I'm not sure you will feel any better if you did manage to get them convicted.

x

[wheelofapps]

Zachary is the OP's son, who died.
He was a passenger.
Luke, the driver of the car they were in, was knocked out but survived.
He has no memory of the crash.

Dan was driving the other car and said:
'I couldn't let him (Luke, overtaking) past as I was driving my new car'.

As I understand it from the news article pictured above.

It seems that Dan deliberately blocked an overtaking manoeuvre by Luke. He lived.
Luke was overtaking (possibly dangerously?) but no memory. He lived.
Zachary, passenger, died.

Apologies to OP if I have this wrong?

[wheelofapps]

Yes, it is tragic.
Yes, it was an accident.

Question is: was it preventable ie were Dan (and possibly Luke) driving unsafely?

I think it is completely inappropriate to speculate on what might make the OP 'feel better' or not?

[PrudenceTheProcrastinator]

Honestly I am gob smacked at some of the replies on this thread. You should be ashamed of yourselves really.

[PirateSmile]

I'm so sorry to hear of you loss. I can completely understand your anger. It reminds me of the Fraser McCarthy case.

[firesidechat]

I don't think anyone has said anything so very terrible on this thread Prudence, but I also don't think a debate between those who would automatically sign and those who wouldn't is all that helpful.

[diddl]

It reads to me as if both drivers were at fault.

Dan was found not guilty.

What about Luke?