Appeal From Parents To Drink Drivers
The parents of a 10-year-old girl killed in a drink-drive collision are calling for drivers to 'think before they drink' to avoid further tragedy.
Evey Staley was setting off on a shopping trip with her parents Neal and Penny on August 24 last year, when their car was struck by a Ford Puma driven by Robert Blakely.
Evey took the brunt of the impact and despite the best efforts of medics and the scene and at Southampton General Hospital, she died the following day.
Drink and drug-driver Blakely was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for causing Evey's death at Newport Crown Court on Monday April the 15th.
Mr and Mrs Staley are now calling for drivers to think about the consequences of drink-driving so another family don't have to suffer the loss of a child in the same devastating way.
"Robert Blakely made conscious decision to drink and drive that day," said Mr Staley.
"He drank during his lunch break and after work, knowing that he had to travel from Cowes to his home in Sandown.
"Selfishly he was prepared to take the risk, even though he was more than twice the legal drink drive limit.
"He killed Evey when drunk, speeding and driving in a reckless manner. Evey paid for his selfishness. We'd ask that no one else makes a child pay for theirs.
"Please, please don't drink and drive. It's rarely the driver who pays with their life."
The couple say they have drawn strength from knowing Evey's organs brought life to six people, the youngest being a 27-week-old baby.
"Giving the permission to switch off her life support machine and being asked to consider organ donation will haunt us forever," said Mr Staley.
"Evey donated her organs to six people, aged from 27 weeks to 42 years. Her heart was used to give life to a one-year-old. For that we are so proud.
"What happened that day last year has brought unimaginable pain to our family," said Mr Staley.
"We implore anyone who has the faintest inclination to drink and drive to please think again. No one can anticipate what's around the next corner. The pain and heartbreak you could cause is indescribable and simply not worth the risk."
