Moment drunk-driver weaves across road before hitting mum – dragging her 900m down the road in horror hit-and-run
THIS is the moment a drunk-driver weaved across the road before smashing into a mum and dragging her body 900m down the road.
Pierce Whelan, 35, was more than twice the legal limit and had been smoking cannabis when he mowed down Nawelle Tina Ormerod, 37.
Despite pals having a taxi booked to take him home, he fatefully “sped off” in the car before it arrived.
He was behind the wheel of his father’s Peugeot 406 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, when he careered into the mum-of-one and a male pedestrian, 26.
The pair were attempting to cross the road just before 11.30pm on June 19, 2021, when Whelan hurtled into them.
He horrifically dragged Nawelle under his car for around 900m, before leaving her body on the roadside.
Chilling footage shows the motorist swerving between lanes as he travelled towards Roanne Ringway in Nuneaton.
Whelan careered across the roundabout without hesitation in surveillance video released by Warwickshire Police.
Moments later, he slammed into the two pedestrians and callously did not stop at the scene.
Warwick Crown Court heard how Whelan fled before abandoning the vehicle, which had a smashed windscreen.
He had to look out of the driver’s door window to see where he was going.
The drink-driver visited his then-girlfriend, before walking to Nuneaton Police Station to hand himself in.
Whelan was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter and dangerous driving in wake of what the Crown Prosecution Service described as one of “the worst hit-and-run cases ever seen.”
Tragic Nawelle suffered catastrophic injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.
She is survived by her devastated husband and young son.
A 26-year-old male, who has not been identified, was also severely injured in the crash after he was thrown over the Peugeot.
He was left with a badly broken arm which needed more than nine screws to fix it.
The two pedestrians were walking across the Roanne Ringway near the junction with Coton Road when they were hit.
Members of the public witnessed the terrifying incident and alerted emergency services while assisting the man.
Whelan appeared at the police station in the early hours of June 20 to hand himself in.
He was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop following a collision, and drink-driving.
This is one of the worst hit-and-run cases I have come across.
Emily Clewer
Tests later confirmed he had 82 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
A saliva test also indicated that Whelan had smoked cannabis, the court heard.
Later the same day, he was further arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and manslaughter.
Whelan, who pleaded guilty at a hearing on December 13 last year, was also disqualified from driving for life by Judge Lockhart.
The court directed that a third charge of causing death by dangerous driving could lie on the file.
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 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.”
‘DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES’
Summing up the case in court, Judge Lockhart recommended the two female bystanders who assisted at the scene for a High Sherriff’s Award.
Following the sentencing, Inspector Michael Huntley from Warwickshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit it served as a “stark reminder” for drivers across the UK.
He said: “The horrific consequences of Pierce Whelan’s actions on 19 June 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.”
