Tony Packenham Wiki
Tony Packenham Biography
A speeding driver has been jailed for more than four years after killing a 13-year-old girl in an accident.
Tony Packenham, 47, was speeding in his Land Rover Defender on a 60 mph highway near Carlisle, Cumbria, when he collided with another vehicle.
The teenager Ingrid Messenger, who was in the back seat of the other vehicle, died after the accident in February of last year.
Ingrid’s mother, Catriona Messenger, who was driving the Citroen C4, and her 15-year-old sister, Erikka, survived the accident. Both suffered serious injuries.
After her arrest, Packenham admitted to dumping her dashcam’s memory card in nearby brush.
Packenham, of Wigton, Cumbria, was incarcerated yesterday at Carlisle Crown Court.
A judge sentenced Packenham to four and a half years in prison, after hearing that the accident would not have happened if he had not been speeding.
Packenham had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The court heard that the defendant was driving his Land Rover “ at high speed ” towards a road junction around 2.30 p.m. when the collision occurred on February 18, 2019.
Teenager Ingrid Messenger, who was a backseat passenger of the other vehicle, died following the crash, in February last year
The vehicle collided with the rear passenger side of the Citroën and also collided with a Mercedes Sprinter pickup, the court heard.
Ingrid’s mother, Catriona, suffered a broken pelvis, ruptured diaphragm, and spinal fractures and was unable to walk without assistance for three months.
Her eldest daughter, Erikka, 15, suffered a fractured shoulder blade and a brain hemorrhage.
While in police custody, Packenham admitted to removing the memory card from her dashcam and throwing it into nearby brush in an attempt to dispose of the evidence.
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Carlisle Crown Court was told that witnesses saw Packenham driving at the speed prior to the collision.
Had he been driving within the 60 mph speed limit, the collision would not have occurred, the court heard.
Ingrid’s family issued a statement after yesterday’s sentencing.
They said: ‘We would like to take this as another opportunity to share our appreciation and gratitude to all the people who participated in helping us on February 18, 2019 and to all who have helped and supported us since then.
Carlisle Crown Court was told witnesses saw Packenham driving at speed leading up to the collision
‘How lucky we are to have the emergency services full of brave people.
“How lucky we are to have surgeons, doctors, nurses, and physical therapists who heal us and take care of us when necessary.
‘How blessed we are to have family, friends and community who embrace us as we heal. We may not be able to choose what life brings us, but we can choose how we respond. ”
Cumbria Police Sgt. Claire Sampson added: ‘This was a tragic collision that resulted in the unnecessary death of Ingrid, who was very dear to her family and friends.
“Packenham was driving over the speed limit, which reduced her ability to react in what is clearly marked as a dangerous environment, so she completely despised other road users.
“ I would like to ask all drivers to think when they drive, think about the environment and remember the rules of our roads and recognize the warning signs, which will only help you in the way you choose to drive.
‘This collision has changed the lives of everyone involved forever.
‘Our thoughts remain with Ingrid’s family and friends. We would like to thank them for the dignity and patience they have shown throughout this investigation. “
