A 14-year prison sentence has been handed down to Thomas Sherwood for his role in a devastating car crash that took the life of 18-year-old Georgia Bendelow.
The crash occurred when Sherwood's vehicle collided with a red Seat Mii driven by Georgia's mother, sending the car flying over 1,000ft across the carriageway before landing on the opposite lane.
Georgia's father rushed to the scene after hearing the crash and found his daughter, her mother, and her boyfriend trapped inside the mangled wreckage.
In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement, the father described watching his daughter take her final breaths while trying to reassure her that help was on the way.
The father's statement read, "I'm now a broken man and left with a vision that will forever haunt me. Seeing my daughter Georgia in the most horrific state, just gasping for her last breaths whilst blood was running down her face."
Georgia suffered catastrophic head injuries and died in hospital two days later. Her mother and boyfriend survived, but suffered serious injuries.
Georgia's grandparents described Sherwood's driving as turning the BMW into a "lethal weapon." Her boyfriend, Mark, said the crash took away the "love of my life and our future together."
Detective Sergeant Steve Suggit from West Yorkshire Police described Sherwood's actions as "reckless and dangerous." He added that had the motorist driven safely at the speed limit, "Georgia would still be with her friends and family now."
Sherwood was found guilty of death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He also admitted causing death while driving an uninsured car.
As part of his sentence, Sherwood has been banned from driving for 14 years and four months and must complete an extended test if he ever wants to drive again.
