The family of a teenager who lost her life when a reckless driver crashed into a tree during a storm has expressed how her death has “shattered” their lives.
Lana Maddison, 19, was a rear-seat passenger when Joe Rowland veered off the road in a Ford Fiesta.
Failing to negotiate a right-hand bend on the A591 near Keswick, Cumbria, the car collided with a tree during Storm Arwen.
Emergency services rushed to the scene following the crash on November 28, 2021, where Lana, Rowland, and another friend were found.
Lana was transported to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries on December 3.
An investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling at 53 mph just five seconds before the collision.
Rowland, 21, had applied the brakes three seconds before hitting the tree at 33 mph.
Investigators concluded that the collision resulted from either the road conditions, Rowland driving too fast, or a combination of both, leading to a loss of control.
He was sentenced today to 10 months in prison, banned from driving for three years and five months, and mandated to take an extended re-test.
Lana’s mum stated, “She made our little family complete in so many ways. All the little things we talked about and her plans for the future, a career in mental health nursing, she would have made a fantastic nurse and a real loss to the whole community.”
“Those poor conditions and Rowland’s speed resulted in a loss of control and sadly the loss of Lana’s life. We live each day as best we can, with the beautiful memories she left us with in our hearts eternally.”