A car thief who killed an 80-year-old widow after he mowed her down on a busy street in a horrific daylight hit-and-run smash has been jailed for over three years.
Unqualified driver Nathanial Teague, 26, ploughed into pensioner Alice Lucas at 60mph on a pedestrian crossing after stealing his ex-girlfriends Vauxhall Astra.
Her frail body was catapulted four metres in the air and landed on a grass verge around 25 metres from where she was hit.
Callous Teague then desperately tried to speed away – but ploughed his vehicle into another car.
He managed to steer the smashed wreckage away from the scene on the A45 Coventry Road in Yardley, Birmingham, and dump the vehicle back at his former partner’s house in Solihull, West Mids.
Despite the air ambulance being scrambled the elderly widow died at the scene from her catastrophic injuries despite the best efforts of paramedics.
Teague handed himself to police later that evening, following the collision at 11.30am on Saturday, February 16.
He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop after an accident and driving without a license and no insurance.
Teague, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to all charges at an earlier magistrates court hearing.
On Tuesday he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Birmingham Crown Court.
Jailing Teague, Judge Michael Chambers QC told him: “This death was tragic and unnecessary.
“The impact on those nearest to her must be enormous.
“The visibility and weather conditions were good.
“You should have been able to see her had you been travelling at the proper speed and keeping a proper lookout.”
He was also banned from the roads for three years.
Prosecutor Rhydian James told the court that Teague had been driving in the outside lane of the out-of-city carriageway at an estimated speed of around 60mph.
He said: “It was not known whether the lights on the crossing were on green or red.
“Mrs Lucas was seen striding quickly towards the central reservation when she was struck.
“She died at the scene.
“The collision shattered the Astra’s windscreen but, after slowing briefly, the defendant carried on and collided with another vehicle further down the road.
“He finally returned to his ex-girlfriend’s home in Solihull, having taken the car without her permission.”
Kate Thomas, defending, said Teague was profoundly remorseful for his actions.
After the case PC Stuart Thorpe, from West Midlands Police, said: “This was a tragic case where an elderly lady has lost her life and a family has been left devastated by a moment of dangerous driving.
“Thankfully, the person responsible has saved the family the time and pain of enduring a lengthy court process, and he has admitted all of his actions which culminated in Mrs Lucas’ death.
“We hope that the family can now take some comfort from this sentence.”
