The sister of a pensioner killed by a speeding, drunk driver has told of her enduring trauma, saying she can never erase the image of her brother dying in the road.
Reckless actions and a callous escape
Makyle Taggart, 30, was drunk and driving at more than double the speed limit when he struck 71-year-old Wynford "Willie" Griffiths on Audley Road, Stechford. The collision occurred at around 9pm on Sunday, February 9, this year, near the Stechford Retail Park.
Taggart, who was said by a friend to have had 'music pumping' as he showed off in the BMW X4, fled the scene immediately after the crash. He abandoned the vehicle in a car park and remained at large until his arrest at an address in Castle Vale on Thursday, June 5.
A family's unimaginable loss
Willie Griffiths had just stepped off his regular bus and was carrying his shopping when he was hit. His sister, in a powerful victim impact statement, described the profound loss.
"Willie was a very private man and only had a small social circle, but he was very much loved and cared for," she said. "I can accept the loss of my other family members, but Willie was cruelly mown down with his shopping after getting off his regular bus. This was to be my brother's last journey."
She added: "The impact this has had on me can never be put into words and I will never ever be able to get rid of the image of my younger brother dying in the road. There will be no more shopping days, no more coffees and no more family get togethers. This is just the beginning of what we have all lost."
Justice served after thorough investigation
Forensic investigation by West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Unit proved that Taggart was travelling between 72 and 79mph on a road with a 30mph limit. He initially denied causing death by dangerous driving but changed his plea to guilty in October.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, December 18, Taggart, of Lea Hall Road, Kitts Green, was sentenced to 13 years and two months in prison. He was also banned from driving for 18 years.
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes said: "Securing justice for Wynford and his family has been at the forefront of our minds throughout this investigation. Taggart's actions were reckless that night, and then callous in not handing himself in and instead going on the run. A thorough investigation meant that he was brought to justice and will serve a considerable amount of time in prison."
The court heard that Wynford's family had been supported by specialist officers throughout the ordeal.
