Driver Sentenced to Over Five Years for Fatal Crash and Violent Assault
Javonnie Tavener, 23, has been jailed for a total of five years and four months after a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a four-year-old girl and serious injuries to two others. The crash occurred as a group of children and parents were walking home from an Eid celebration on Upper Highgate Street in Birmingham.
Details of the Fatal Collision
Tavener was driving at excessive speed in a 20mph zone when he attempted to overtake another vehicle. He lost control of his Vauxhall Corsa, which careered across the road and slammed directly into the pedestrians on the pavement. The impact killed little Mayar Yahia outright and left her mother Sara and another mother, Awadia Hammed, with serious injuries.
Shocking dashcam footage from the other car involved revealed the horrifying moment of the crash. The video showed Tavener's car overtaking at high speed, cutting in front, and then veering into the group. Moments after the initial impact, the car was reversed, exposing Mayar's body on the ground as panic ensued.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Tavener was charged with causing death and serious injury by careless driving, a decision that limited the potential sentence. His Honour Judge Peter Cooke expressed concerns about the Crown Prosecution Service's choice of charge, noting that the court's sentencing powers were severely restricted as a result.
Despite this, Judge Cooke imposed the maximum possible sentence for the driving offenses, citing aggravating factors. Tavener was traveling at approximately twice the speed limit, using his phone, and had intoxicating substances in his system. He also fled the scene and fabricated lies to evade responsibility, making what the judge described as an extremely callous decision not to assist the victims.
In mitigation, defense counsel Chris Harding highlighted Tavener's challenging childhood and mental health issues, which may have influenced his actions post-crash. Tavener expressed a wish to apologize to the families and offered to provide a handwritten letter of apology.
Additional Sentence for Violent Assault
Separately, Tavener received an additional 18-month prison term for assaulting and attempting to strangle his girlfriend during a violent incident in Greece, just five weeks after Mayar's death. This sentence runs consecutively, bringing the total jail time to 64 months.
He has also been banned from driving for six years following the crash.
Community Impact and Road Safety Concerns
The catastrophic event left the local community in shock and sparked widespread demonstrations calling for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement. The tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about reckless driving in residential areas.
The families affected continue to mourn their loss, with the memory of Mayar Yahia serving as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of careless driving.
