BMW driver who killed family-of-three after ploughing into them while on ‘cocktail of drugs’ at 96mph is jailed
A BMW driver who wiped out a family-of-three when he ploughed into them while on a “cocktail of drugs” has been jailed.
Aurelijus Cielevicius, 39, was hurtling along the A47 in Norfolk at 96mph when the horror unfolded.
He smashed head-on into a Vauxhall Mokka driven by Paul Carter, 41, with his wife Lisa Carter, 49 and her daughter, 25-year-old Jade Mace, as they travelled in the opposite direction.
Tragically none of the family could be saved and were all declared dead at the scene.
Cielevicius has now been jailed for ten-and-a-half years after admitting three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Summer Mace, whose mum, sister and stepdad died, read an emotional victim impact statement as the driver was caged.
She told how she had messaged them in the family group chat to make sure they were OK, not realising they had been already been involved in the crash.
Summer added: “For me there is no future – Mum, Paul and Jade were my whole world – they were the glue that held us all together.
“On the 15th January you did not just kill three of my family members, you killed and destroyed our entire family members, you killed and destroyed four entire family units.
“You have killed our future lives, thoughts and hopes – as we have none without them.
“Mum, Paul and Jade were unique, bright, caring and funny and outgoing people. Without their presence in our lives, the world is a duller place for everyone.”
Norwich Crown Court was told Cielevicius had sped through red traffic lights in the moments before the crash on January 15 this year.
He was overtaking another car when he ploughed into the family as they drove in the opposite direction.
Forensic collision investigators determined the speedometer was stuck at 96mph when the crash occurred.
Cielevicius was taken to hospital after he was sedated for being agitated and uncooperative at the scene.
Medics found he had suffered minor injuries including two broken ribs and he was arrested and later charged.
Toxicology tests revealed the driver had Methylamphetamine (crystal meth), Mephedrone and cannabis in his system as well as other drugs.
Detective Inspector Dave McCormack, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a horrendous case of a dangerous man who was driving while on a cocktail of drugs.
“His actions have ripped apart a young family leaving destruction in his wake.
“My condolences go out to the family who are also victims to this atrocious incident, and I thank them for having the courage to stand up and tell the offender how it has affected them.
“In addition to this, the incident was attended to by police, fire and ambulance and left emergency service personnel extremely upset and requiring extra support.”
