Driver found guilty of causing deaths of two friends in speeding incident.

Adele Okojie-Aidonojie, 23, was convicted of causing the deaths of Rida Boutjettif, 24, and Mary Macharia, 23, by dangerous driving after her convertible Mini Cooper crashed in Battersea, south west London. The car was traveling at least 62mph in a 30mph zone, and the passengers in the back, who were not wearing seatbelts, had been filmed dancing just before the incident. Mr. Boutjettif and Ms. Macharia were thrown from the car and killed, while another passenger, Ben Sidibe, suffered a fractured arm and a brain bleed. The defendant initially told a witness at the scene not to call the police or ambulance and later claimed it was a hit and run.

The prosecutor, Sally Mertens, stated that the defendant had gone with Mr. Sidibe and Ms. Macharia to pick up their friend Mr. Boutjettif from a nightclub where he was working. CCTV footage showed the car traveling at a high speed before its wheels started to grind against raised kerbstones and overturned. The defendant admitted to driving carelessly but claimed her hand had been tugged and slipped off the steering wheel just before the collision. She also claimed that she was not above the legal alcohol limit in her blood because she drank from a bottle of alcohol that the passengers had been drinking from after the crash.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, the jury deliberated for one and a half hours before finding the defendant guilty of causing the deaths of Mr. Boutjettif and Ms. Macharia by dangerous driving, as well as causing serious injury to Mr. Sidibe. The judge, Richard Marks, described the case as “very sad and tragic” and mentioned that a substantial period of imprisonment was inevitable. Consequently, he remanded the defendant, who is from Bromley, south London, in custody pending her sentencing on Friday. The incident occurred early on July 16, 2022, and the passengers in the back of the convertible had been filmed dancing just before the fatal crash.

The tragic accident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of adhering to speed limits and wearing seatbelts while in a vehicle. The victims, who lost their lives in the crash caused by the defendant’s dangerous driving, serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from such irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. The prosecution emphasized the defendant’s actions before and after the collision, including her attempts to avoid arrest by misleading witnesses and law enforcement. The guilty verdict rendered by the jury underscores the severity of the offense and the need for accountability in cases of dangerous driving resulting in death and serious injury.

The sentencing of Adele Okojie-Aidonojie will determine the consequences she will face for her actions that led to the deaths of two passengers and the serious injury of another. The judge’s decision to remand her in custody pending sentencing indicates the gravity of the charges she has been convicted of and the potential for a substantial period of imprisonment. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the devastating impact of reckless driving and the legal repercussions that can follow such irresponsible behavior on the road. The tragic loss of life in this incident underscores the need for increased awareness and enforcement of road safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future and protect the lives of all road users.