Motorist who caused death of two girls when he smashed into their car after they hit a deer has walked free from court
Luiz Rocker given suspended sentence after death of two aspiring dance teachers
A DRIVER who crashed into the back of a stationary car at 70mph killing two teenagers was today spared jail.
Daniela Ruggiero, 18, and her 17-year-old passenger Charlotte Dove, died when their car exploded into a fireball after Luiz Rocker smashed into the back of the Citroen.
Today the 48-year-old was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years after admitting causing death by careless driving following the crash on October 15, 2013.
Last month the 48-year-old was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving, provoking angry scenes in the court room.
The girls' families cried out in fury when the not guilty verdict was ready out by a jury at St Albans crown court.
There were shouts of “bloody joke”, “he killed our daughter” and “he destroyed our family” before Judge Mark Dennis told the families to leave the court building.
The girls had come to halt in the middle of the road after hitting a deer - but were unharmed until Rocker drove at speed into the back of them.
The impact ruptured the Citroen's fuel tank, and sparks from the car's undercarriage ignited petrol, causing the vehicle to be engulfed in a fireball.
Driver Daniela Ruggiero, 18, and her passenger Charlotte Dove, 17, were both killed in the collision and explosion.
St Albans Crown Court heard how Daniela and Charlotte were unharmed after the first collision but were killed when Rocker smashed into the back of the Citroen.
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Daniela's family have today released a statement describing the moment their "world fell apart" when their "beautiful" daughter died.
Her dad Tony, mum Maria and sister Luisa said: "Daniela was a beautiful daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend and is dearly missed by so many.
"She was a beautiful girl and an amazing young lady. She was vibrant, so talented and full of life and was a joy to everyone who met her in her short life.”
“She loved all of her family, friends and dance colleagues. She had been dancing from the age of three and said at the age of six she was born to dance.
“A day would never pass where you would not see Daniela dancing, talking or studying dance as she had so much passion for dance. It was dance or nothing."
They added: “When we received the devastating news about what happened on October 15, 2013, our
world fell apart.
"As a family we have struggled every day to cope with the loss of our beloved Daniela and have found it near impossible to carry on. We visit her grave every day.
“Two families have been destroyed as two beautiful young ladies with so much ahead of
them have been taken away from us."
The Citroen had come to a halt across the two lanes of the A10 between High Cross and Standon, Herts., and data from an insurance device in Daniela's car shows it was then hit by Rocker 0.9 seconds after it stopped.
During his trial Rocker, a painter and decorator said: "I could not avoid the car, I could not stop."
He described seeing the collision with the deer ahead of him before crashing into the damaged Citroen.
Rocker, a Brazilan immigrant who moved to the UK in 2001, said: ";The pieces of the car went through the air. In my mind, it was like a movie in slow motion."
He said: "I knew I was going to crash," adding: "I thought it was too late."
After the collision, Rocker rushed towards to the Citroen and tried to save the women from the inferno but he was unable to pull them from the burning vehicle.
Sergeant Richard Cruse from Hertfordshire Police's Forensic Collision Investigation Unit said: "This is such an extremely tragic case where two young women have needlessly lost their lives through no fault of their own.
"If Mr Rocker had been driving carefully that day he could have avoided colliding with the Citroen or at best substantially reduced his impact speed.
"The effect this has had on both families is quite understandably overwhelming and highly distressing and our thoughts are with them at this time."
Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said:
"This case involved a terrible incident, which led to the untimely death of two young women on the A10 near Standon in October 2013.
"This was a tragic waste of two lives, which could have been avoided.
"Despite having 5.8 seconds to react, Rocker failed to take any or sufficient steps to avoid a collision with the Citroen.
"If he had reacted to the crash ahead of him, he could have avoided a collision and come to a standstill or greatly reduced his impact speed."
He added: "This case highlights the serious consequences of failing to be alert and prepared for
unexpected or difficult driving conditions.
"Holding a driving licence brings with it a high degree of responsibility that should always be at the forefront of a driver's mind.
"Our thoughts are very much with the families at this time."
Rocker, from Ware, Herts., was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years and been banned from driving for 18 months.
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