Driver jailed over the death of woman and her dog

Lucy Atkin and dog Simba were both killed in the crash

A speeding driver has been jailed over the death of a pedestrian who was struck while walking her dog in Birmingham.

Lucy Atkins, 20, died after being hit by a car on West Boulevard, Quinton, on 24 June 2024. The family dog, a Lakeland Terrier called Simba, was also killed.

Danielle Mitten, 34, admitted to causing Ms Atkins's death by dangerous driving on 28 August at Oxford Crown Court, appearing before a judge on Friday for her sentencing.

Mitten, of Baldwin Road, Birmingham, was jailed for five years and four months, and disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months. She had also pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property in relation to the death of the dog.

Danielle Mitten crashed into Lucy Atkins at 63mph

Mitten had been driving at up to 82mph before the crash, more than double the speed limit of 40mph, and hit Ms Atkins at 63mph, West Midlands Police said.

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Atkins's family said her loss brought "immense" pain to their lives.

In a statement released by West Midlands Police, they said: "We have described Lucy as a force of nature who touched all she knew or met. She was full of life and enjoyed her life.

"Lucy was loving, kind, caring and thoughtful."

The statement continued that as much as Ms Atkins's brother wished she was still alive, he did not "hold this against" Mitten, and he wanted her - and the family - "to be able to move on" with their lives "and live them in Lucy's honour rather than in sadness".

It added that if "the pain... visited upon us by this tragedy gets publicity and stops someone else from driving dangerously and killing someone, then Lucy's death will not have been in vain".