20-year-old Yaashmi Ravikumar has been sentenced to 18 months in custody after admitting causing death by dangerous driving following last year’s fatal crash on Forest Road on the outskirts of Newport.
1 person died, 4 people were seriously injured and 15 others sustained minor injuries in the collision on 14th April 2019, which was declared a major incident. The crash involved 2 cars – including Ravikumar’s silver Mini One – and a Southern Vectis double-decker bus.
A total of 4 air ambulances were scrambled to the scene at Vittlefields Cross alongside local paramedics, Police and multiple fire crews. 64-year-old Yvonne Copland tragically lost her life in the crash, whilst her husband Derrick sustained serious injuries and spent 7 weeks in intensive care. Warren Copland, their son, and his partner Richard Wealsby were also seriously injured, as was bus driver Stephen Pitman.
Ravikumar simply failed to stop at the junction of Whitehouse Road and Forest Road, pulling out in front of the Route 7 double decker. The bus driver was unable to avoid hitting the Mini and was in turn forced into the path of the Copland’s oncoming Fiat.
It is said that Ravikumar, who had 3 friends in the vehicle at the time of the collision, failed to spot the road markings and signs laid out.
Yaashmi Ravikumar, of Buller Road in Laindon, Essex has today (Monday) – her birthday – been sentenced to 18 months for causing death by dangerous driving, with half of the sentence to be served in a young offenders institute. The mathematics student and financial assistant also received 12 months for 4 counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, to run concurrently.
She is expected to serve just 9 months in custody before being released on licence.
Judge Susan Evans QC also decided to ban Yasshmi from driving for a total of 33 months – less than 3 years. She must take an extended driving test to get her licence back.
In passing sentence, Judge Evans said that the teenager, who was just 18 at the time of the crash, had made a catastrophic error having failed to notice 2 give way signs, a vehicle turning ahead of her, a change in road surface and road markings.
Sgt Jonathan Bates, who investigated the collision, has said:
“This was a tragic case, and we can’t stress enough to people about the impact that dangerous driving can have on others.
“Our thoughts are with Yvonne’s family, Mr Pitman, and all those who have been affected by this collision.”
Very weak sentence.. However she’s now got time to reflect on her life and how to move forward. Young offenders institute’s are not the nicest places to be especially if you aren’t street smart.
Time to reflect you say, and so has her poor husband and family ,huge amount of time to reflect in fact the rest of their bloody lives …
Stupid comments !!!!!!!
9 months in jail what a total joke of a legal system
You are a joke of humanity, you literally don’t know the details of the case so keep your dumb comments to yourself mate.
The details are quite clear as stated in the article:
“She failed to notice 2 give way signs, a vehicle turning ahead of her, a change in road surface and road markings.”
She was therefore driving dangerously and without due care and attention. Pillock.
Suggest you speak for yourself mate. I entirely agree with Inbred iowter’s comments
She should have been banned for life after killing someone
I am so disgusted by this ridiculous sentence, she didn’t even stop at the junction !!!..and one lovely lady lost her life and several people sustained bad injuries , my heart goes out to those involved in this tragic accident and especially the family of the lady that passed away, justice hasn’t been done ar all, should of been banned for driving for life and at least 10 years in prison …the law is an ass sometimes !!
10 years??? Are you crazy?? She was 18 years old and made a mistake and you want her to go to prison for 10 years. Are you even human? God forbid you make a horrible mistake you twat.
No she drove dangerously, it wasn’t a mistake.
Ridiculous sentence a person died and several injured she should of got at least 10 years and band from driving for life our justice system needs an over haul
A very dangerous junction, at which I always take extra care when approaching on Forest Road. Perhaps it would help if the hedges could be cut back to improve visibility, particularly when coming from Yarmouth. This would be cheaper and easier than some solutions suggested by the Highways Department – in the short term.
She’ll get funding from the government to finish her studies in Jail. More money after she leaves to do mode studies and help find work. Three years down the line will have a degree, all paid for by the state, driving licence back and her who life ahead of her. Seems she has benefited from this. Based on recent press reports on Police with criminal records, she could join up when she gets her licence back.
She won’t get funding form the government to finish her studies because A} she is not doing a long enough sentence to qualify and B} only Open university courses are available to inmates which will be different course work then what she was doing in London
Gosh the government should help you finish your studies, because you sound like a totally idiot. How will she get her life back? She now has a criminal record, also this experience is probably unforgettable for her. Don’t comment on what you don’t know.
Pathetic sentence for the loss of a life, worked all her life and she didn’t even get to enjoy a little retirement for her efforts.
This sentence sends no message what so ever to those idiots on the roads, the law is an ass..
In the last Queen’s speech a royal review was announced on sentencing. When it starts I hope that people who are rightly complaining about “pathetic sentences” take the time to submit their written views instead of relying on making comments on a local newspaper
Sorry Claire but clearly you are the pathetic one who wants the destruction of an 18 year old over an accident. Seek help
Come on then Sharon, what do you know? i didn’t see you sat in the courtroom on monday? Silly Troll Twat, go and play with your todger
Old mike I completely gree ith you, GET the hedges cut and possibly remove 1 or 2 trees on the corners
Such a terrible accident at a very dangerous junction which there are plenty of here on the island. The majority of driving visitors will be unaware of these plus our average speed limits across the island are greater than what town dwellers are used to, bad combination.
She was young and inexperienced when she caused this tragedy.
I like to think that she has learnt the value of life, and has genuine remorse, as well as persistent nightmares, brought on by her actions.
For all the heart-ache and damage she caused 18 months is pathetic she will be out after 10 and a two year driving ban. A man hit a 13 year old boy tragically killed the boy. Drier got 6 year jail sentence and a 10 year driving ban