'Sleep deprived' new mother who killed black cab driver in head-on crash avoids prison

A new mother who killed a black cab driver in a head-on crash while driving on the wrong side of the road has been spared jail.

Erica Buenor, 35, crashed into Arthur Pountney, 77, as he drove his taxi in Kidbrooke, south-east London, in the early hours of June 9, 2023.

Mr Pountney, a grandfather of five who had chronic heart issues, suffered a fractured clavicle, broken ribs and 'extensive' bruising to his shoulder, chest and arms.

Though his injuries were not life-threatening, they increased pressure on his heart and he died of a cardiac arrest in hospital two days later.

But the mother-of-three avoided prison after the court heard she suffered a 'momentary lapse in concentration' when she 'drifted' on to the wrong side of the road after breastfeeding and working all day on little sleep.

A crash investigator found the taxi was in Buenor's line of sight for 13 seconds before the crash.

Buenor, who was previously an intelligence researcher for British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police, admitted causing death by careless driving on the first day of her trial in July.

Mr Pountney's daughter said in a statement to the court that his death was a 'devastating shock' to her mother, who was later admitted to a care home in a move the family sold their home to fund.

Erica Buenor killed black cab driver Arthur Pountney in a crash in 2023. She has this week avoided jail

Nick Saunders, prosecuting, said: 'Shortly after 2.20am on 9 June, 2023, there was a collision on Kidbrooke Park Road between a black taxi and a Peugeot van.

'The taxi was being driven by Mr Pountney and the van, being driven by the defendant, was carrying her sister and a friend.

'The road was straight, level, it was a 30mph dual carriageway, each lane being 4.5metres wide.

'Mr Pountney was driving on his own lane when Ms Buenor drifted from her lane over the middle reservation and hit the taxi in a partial head-on collision.

'It was concluded that the drift off the lane indicated a lapse in concentration, whether that being falling asleep or some other cause.

'When interviewed, she said she had been working all day and had little sleep. Each driver had the other in view for about 13 seconds before the collision.'

Buenor's van - hired for a wedding catered by her family-run business - rolled 100m before coming to a stop while 'suspension springs and drivetrain components' were strewn across the road, the Old Bailey heard.

Tearful members of Mr Pountney's family attended the hearing while Buenor sat in the dock wearing a white cardigan, showing little emotion as sentence was passed.

Reading a statement by his daughter Angela Vale, Mr Saunders said: 'Dad had a big heart, and he looked out for people. He was full of chat and laughter.'

She said the death came as a 'devastating shock' to her mother, who had been married to the cabbie for 56 years.

She added: 'When he passed, all of a sudden Mum had to start taking care of bills and what little money she had. We can all see she wasn't managing well.

'Mum's whole life changed, and we can see she wasn't coping well. She wasn't eating properly, and she fainted on more than one occasion.'

She said the family had no choice but to take her to a care home and even had to sell their family home when 'money ran out'.

'In a very short time frame, she lost her way of life, her husband, and her independence.

'I am telling you all this because I think it is important everyone understands Dad's death affected a lot of people.

'Dad was funny and full of laughter. He was our king, and we all miss him dearly.'

Her sister Carol McBurney added: 'He often said he would work till the day he died. I never thought it would come true.

'Our hearts were shattered into a million pieces, and that day would change our lives forever.'

Adam Butler, defending the former Croydon Council crime analyst, said: 'The first thing she wants to say is her apology to Mr Pountney's family.

'She is very grateful to learn today they would be willing to receive a letter of apology from her. She knows that nothing that I can say or she can say would come anywhere near making up for what has happened.

'She knows whatever the impact it has on her, it has been so much greater on Mr Pountney's family.

'All she can say is that she is sorry and to repeat the remorse and the guilt that Your Ladyship will have seen in the pre-sentence report.'

Sentencing, Judge Rebecca Trowler KC told Buenor: 'There is, of course, no sentence which can bring Arthur back, and there are no words that I can say to comfort his grieving family.

'The pain experienced by all members of his family here today is palpable.'

She said Buenor had suffered a 'momentary lapse in concentration', adding: 'I note your remorse and that you have young children, including a three-month-old, and all three of your children will undoubtedly be harmed by your immediate imprisonment.'

She said: 'You accept that the collision must have been a result of a failure to maintain concentration.

'You had in fact been working all that day and into the night at a wedding catered by your family business which you ran with your sister.

'Your sleep the day and night before would have been interrupted by the preparation for that wedding that following day and also because you were breastfeeding at the time.'

She determined the collision happened as a result of 'a substantial lapse in concentration' because Bueno was 'deprived of adequate sleep and rest'.

The mother-of-three showed no emotion as she was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Judge Trowler also banned Buenor from driving for four years and ordered her to perform 90 hours of unpaid community work, which was reduced due to her 'childcare commitments'.

She will also pay court costs of £1,630.

Buenor, of Crawley, West Sussex, admitted one count of causing death by careless driving.