A driver who failed to stop after hitting and killing a father of two has been sentenced for more than seven years.
Paul Whitfield was “highly intoxicated through drink” when his Mazda collided with 21-year-old Adam Cunliffe in St Helens, Merseyside Police said.
Mr Cunliffe, who was trapped under the car for 1 kilometre (0.6 mile), was pronounced dead at the spot, according to the court hearing.
Whitfield, 54, was arrested shortly afterward and claimed he was unaware of the collision until police arrived at his home.
Mr Cunliffe’s brother Adam Conway stated in his victim impact statement that it “felt like a piece of me died that day”.
He stated that he no longer loved being among his family and friends and that he used heavy antidepressants since every day seemed “like a mission to get out of bed”.
“Adam was funny, loving and creative and an all round amazing person,” he told me.
“There is a hole in our family that will never be filled.”
Mr. Conway stated that their mother died unexpectedly shortly after Mr. Cunliffe, who died at the age of 43.
Alan Cunliffe, his father, stated that he would “gladly trade his life to have him back on earth”.
“They say there is no other love stronger than the love you have for your own child and it is true,” he told me.
“I lived and breathed for his very existence.”
Amy Clayton, Mr Cunliffe’s partner, stated that she suffered from despair and anxiety and had “panic attacks getting in cars” after his death.
“I will never be able to forgive this and feel so angry,” she told me.
“I shouldn’t have to explain to my son his dad’s death at the age of 21.
“21 years will never be enough it isn’t fair.”
Whitfield pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and received a sentence of seven years and four months in jail. According to police, he will also be barred from driving for five years after his release.
In his sentencing decision, Judge Andrew Menary, KC, Recorder of Liverpool, stated that Whitfield was “conservatively estimated” to be two and a half times the drink-driving limit.
He stated that the area is clearly lit, and that other drivers urgently alerted Whitfield to what was later described as a “unfolding horror story.”
“Such was your compromised ability that you did not notice Adam lying in the road.”
“The fact that you didn’t realise, the fact that you drove on oblivious, indicates how affected by drink you were.”
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