A drink-driver who killed a mum in one of "the worst hit-and-run cases ever seen" after he dragged her body 900 metres along a road has been jailed. Pierce Whelan, 35, had been smoking cannabis and was twice the drink-drive limit when he took his dad's car, despite having a taxi booked to take him home.
Whelan ploughed into two pedestrians in the Peugeot 406, killing one of them and dragging the victim's body half a mile down the road as horrified people watched on, reports CoventryLive. He continued to drive although the windscreen was smashed, before abandoning the car and visiting his girlfriend on June 19, 2021.
CCTV footage captured Whelan driving erratically and handing himself into police in the early hours of June 20. Mum-of-one Nawelle Tina Ormerod, 37, died at the scene and a 26-year-old man was left with a broken arm which needed nine screws to fix it.
Tests later confirmed the concentration of alcohol in Whelan's breath was 82 micrograms compared to the legal limit of 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, and a saliva test showed he had smoked cannabis. Whelan, from Nuneaton, was jailed for 14 years for manslaughter and three years for dangerous driving, to be served concurrently, at Warwick Crown Court on Friday. He admitted both charges and was also banned from the roads for life.
Emily Clewer of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This is one of the worst hit and run cases I have come across. Pierce Whelan knowing fully well he had hit someone failed to stop at the scene and continued driving his car with no regards for Nawelle Tina Ormerod who was trapped beneath his car.
"He had been drinking and smoking Cannabis when he left a friend’s house. Despite the fact that a taxi had been called to take him, his girlfriend and her children home, he was captured on CCTV driving away from the address knowing he was unfit to drive, and that decision cost an innocent woman her life.
"I hope this case serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to drink and drive. Driving while intoxicated ruins lives, and we will prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family.”
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
Inspector Michael Huntley, from Warwickshire Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The horrific consequences of Pierce Whelan’s actions on June 19, 2021, have been devastating for the family and everyone who knew Nawelle Ormerod.
"Nawelle leaves a husband and son, who keenly feel their loss and my thoughts remain with them. Lives changed forever on that day, including the life of the man who was also hit by Whelan’s car.
"He received surgery to insert a metal plate and nine screws into the complex fracture on his right arm. These injuries have proven life changing, both physically and mentally.
"Pierce Whelan chose to drink alcohol, putting him at double the drink drive limit and smoke cannabis before getting into his car to drive that night. Associates who had been with him prior to the collision had ordered a taxi and repeatedly advised him not to drive.
"However, Mr Whelan ignored this advice and sped off in his vehicle prior to the arrival of the taxi. The tragic result of Mr Whelan’s actions should serve as a stark reminder to all drivers of the lawful and moral responsibility incumbent on us all when driving.
"Mr Whelan behaved in a totally irresponsible manner in driving whilst unfit and then failing to stop and remain at the scene of the collision, which ultimately led to devastating consequences. I would like to thank the members of the public, police officers and colleagues in the West Midlands Ambulance Service who responded on the night of the collision, in what was clearly a very traumatic and complex scene. I would also like to thank all the investigation team, who conducted a detailed and thorough investigation, plus the CPS who prosecuted the case in court.”
