A driver has been sentenced to over five years in prison after causing the death of a young woman and her dog in a high-speed collision. Danielle Mitten, 34, lost control of her vehicle while driving at 63mph in a 40mph zone, striking 20-year-old Lucy Atkins and her family’s Lakeland Terrier, Simba. The tragic incident occurred at 8.45am on June 24 last year on West Boulevard in Quinton, Birmingham. Prior to the crash, Mitten was recorded driving at speeds of 82mph, more than double the legal limit. Lucy, who had just completed her first year at Cardiff University studying Business Management, was killed instantly along with her dog. Mitten pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to five years and four months in prison. Additionally, she has been banned from driving for seven years and eight months and will be required to pass an extended driving test before she can drive again. In a heartfelt statement, Lucy's family expressed their profound grief, describing her as a "force of nature" who brought joy to everyone she met. They stated, "The loss of Lucy, together with our dog Simba, has brought immense pain to all our lives. Lucy was loving, kind, caring and thoughtful." Lucy's brother conveyed a message of forgiveness, saying, "My son wishes Ms Mitten to know that as much as he wishes every day that his sister Lucy was still here, he does not hold this against her. He wants us all, including Ms Mitten, to be able to move on with our lives and live them in Lucy's honour rather than in sadness." The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness about the dangers of reckless driving, stating, "If the pain that I have described that has been visited upon us by this tragedy gets publicity and stops someone else from driving dangerously and killing someone, then Lucy's death will not have been in vain." This case highlights the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the lasting impact it can have on families and communities.