Hero mum dies saving son, 6, from path of killer driver who mowed her down on pedestrian crossing
Newlywed mum-of-two Shantelle Kirkup, 29, saved her son's life by holding his hand at the moment she was hit in Darlington, County Durham last May
A HEROIC mum lost her life while saving her son from the path of a killer driver, a court heard.
Mum-of-two Shantelle Kirkup, 29, died holding her six-year-old son Jaxon's hand while using a pedestrian crossing in Darlington, County Durham in May last year.
Her newlywed husband James had crossed the road pushing their two-year-old daughter Jemima in a buggy a second ahead of the pair in the driver's path.
The family had been to buy ice creams before the fatal collision — James saw the aftermath of the crash.
Stuart Levy, 37, displayed an "utterly dangerous and cavalier attitude" in driving without wearing his glasses, which were broken and found later at his ex-partner's home, the sentencing judge said.
He knew he needed to wear them, having suffered an almost 50 per cent loss of his visual field in his left eye following a brain haemorrhage, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Levy was driving a Ford Focus when he knocked down and killed the beloved mum.
James Kirkup had taken his son to a dinosaur show while Shantelle had been buying birthday presents with Jemima.
Levy had been out to collect his methadone prescription and had drunk his daily dose before the crash on St Cuthbert's Way on a hot, clear day.
SPEEDING CAR
The court heard he was speeding on the 30mph road and had undertaken another vehicle as he approached the crossing.
A passenger in that vehicle said "what an idiot" as he sped past.
Levy had a clear view of 180 metres on the road — the family crossed while the lights were on amber, but Levy failed to react until it was too late, the court heard.
It was estimated he was travelling at 34 to 41mph when he knocked down Shantelle.
Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said: "Shantelle had hold of Jaxon's hand for his safety, that last act of care helped propel Jaxon out of the path of the vehicle, thereby probably saving his life.
"In the split second after the impact the defendant stopped his car and then drove a short distance to the nearside.
"Mr Kirkup, not initially realising the enormity of what had just happened, thought the defendant was driving off after a collision and went to stop him.
"He then realised his wife and son were both lying on the road.
"He began to scream in anguish."
'SHE LOVED BEING A MUM'
Shantelle, who worked with her husband running four businesses, could not be saved.
Jaxon suffered a badly broken leg for which he is still receiving physiotherapy.
Levy, of Rocket Street, Darlington, was arrested and told police he was not speeding, that he was wearing his glasses and the pedestrians had run out when the lights were still on green.
These claims were shown to be lies, the court heard.
Although his speech seemed slurred when he was arrested, tests revealed that he had not been drinking nor had he taken any illicit drugs.
Levy was jailed for five years and four months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Victim statements from his victim's widower, brother and mother were read out.
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Mr Kirkup said in his statement they had been married for just seven months, had planned to work hard together, have more children and enjoy an early retirement.
"Shantelle was a natural mother, she loved being a mum and a wife," he said.
The judge banned Levy from driving for eight years.
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