Taxi Driver Online

Driver held after taxi death

A taxi driver has been arrested in connection with the death of a young woman who fell from a moving vehicle. Katie Bennett, 22, suffered severe head injuries after falling out of the hackney carriage in Newchapel, north Staffordshire, in the early hours of Saturday.

She was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where she died on Monday morning, Staffordshire Police said. A police spokesman said: "I can now confirm that the taxi driver involved has been arrested and is helping police with our inquiry.

"Sadly the young lady involved, Katie Louise Bennett, aged 22 years, from the Newchapel area, passed away this morning." Miss Bennett and six friends had taken the taxi from Hanley town centre, in Stoke-on-Trent, to the high street in Newchapel, at 2am, police said.

Detectives had appealed for the driver of the large dark-coloured people carrier taxi to come forward.

The spokesman said: "On arrival, several of the passengers had left the vehicle. However, one passenger remained in the vehicle, which then moved off. "That passenger then fell from the vehicle whilst in motion and suffered severe head injuries as a result."

Police are liaising with the coroner and are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to contact them at Newcastle-under-Lyme station on 01785 234901 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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IDFIMH

Just under a year later a driver is due before the courts.

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/ne ... ticle.html

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IDFIMH

GUILTY

This is another example of just how bad this job can be .No matter what the circumstance, it is sad around.

I think the law says something like not guilty until proven otherwise.

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IDFIMH

It's a good job our services aren't so slow

This is a tragic case as are most cases that result in a death, but, one has to wonder why he never checked his vehicle before he drove off

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

He is automatically guilty because he drove away, I dont care what he has as an excuse. Guilty! If he had called it in like any normal person, then fair enough innocent until proven.

He might be guilty of driving away from an incident, but he has been charged with causing her death by dangerous driving. Two separate offences.

He may well have pleaded guilty to driving away in a lower court, but even there there is a defence if by staying he was liable to be assaulted by others.

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IDFIMH