Mother of Denii Reynolds says ‘I’m drowning in sadness’ as road racers who caused her death are jailed

The mum of a 20-year-old girl who died in a crash involving several men who were racing on the A16 in Lincolnshire says nothing feels right any more. Speaking out during the sentencing of the group at Lincoln Crown Court[1], the mother of Denii Reynolds said: "Sometimes it feels like I can't breathe, I'm drowning in sadness, it's so overwhelming." Ms Reynolds, from Grimsby, was in the passenger seat of a Citroen C1, driven by Keelan Tuke, 21, when it collided with a Vauxhall Corsa on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, on the road between Utterby and Fotherby.

Ms Reynolds was pronounced dead at the scene. Tuke, of Grafton Street, Grimsby, along with three other drivers behind him, were racing their four cars at "excessive speeds" when the Citroen C1 collided with 70-year-old Margaret Williams' car at around 9.45pm. Tuke's car, which was driving at a minimum of 75mph in a 50mph zone, shot across to the opposite side of the road following a bend which caused the two cars to collide.

Appearing at Lincoln Crown Court[2], Tuke, Josh Dobb, 21, of Hadleigh Road, Immingham, and Keigan Launder, 23, of Louth Road, Grimsby, were sentenced to eight years and six months for causing the death of Ms Reynolds by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to Ms Williams by dangerous driving. Riley Duncombe, 19, of Thesiger Walk, Grimsby, was 17 at the time of the crash, and was sentenced to five years and eight months in jail for the same offences. All four men had pleaded not guilty to the offences at a trial, which was heard at Lincoln Crown Court[3] in October.

The jury found all four men guilty. Reading an emotional statement at the sentencing on Friday, November 24, Denii's mum, who has four other children, said: "Denii was the biggest personality in our family. Sometimes it feels like I can't breathe, I'm drowning in sadness, it's so overwhelming.

"Having one child taken away is hard enough but having to get your other children through the pain that follows is another." Denii's mum said her children have "personality changes and grief they suffer every day" and her youngest daughter struggles to control her emotions, suffering from anxiety and depression.

She also said she is "trying to hold everyone together" whilst suffering from hair loss, dizzy spells, and insomnia. She said: "Nothing feels right anymore, it has all been taken away, we haven't celebrated Christmas since losing Denii. "No one understands the extremes of losing a child this way.

I hope my daughter is looking down on me and her siblings and is proud of how we've handled every situation." Judge James House KC said, following her statement: "I'm sure she is looking down on you and she is proud." A statement was also read on behalf of Denii's dad, by his wife: "My beautiful girl, my only daughter, she was taken from me. "I can't accept she is gone and will never come back.

I went to the scene that night she died but wasn't able to get to Denii. In the minutes before it was ending, what was going through her mind? Was she screaming, crying, or in pain?"

The court also heard that Denii's dad had sent her a text that day asking her if she was still coming around for tea. He said: "She never got to read the message, how life can change in one moment." "I struggle to even talk to those closest to me about what happened.

She will forever be that beautiful 20-year-old girl who had her whole life ahead of her." Ms Williams was taken to hospital following the crash with serious injuries where she had to regain the strength to walk again. A statement from her in court heard: "Before the accident, I was a very able 70-year-old who did everything.

The accident has ruined my life and the road to recovery has been incredibly difficult and painful." Judge House said: "No parent should have to bury their child. Each defendant ignored the rules of the road, showed clear disregard to others, and were racing each other and driving at excessive speeds."

Tuke, Dobb, and Launder have been disqualified from driving for over nine years and Duncombe has been disqualified from driving for almost eight years.

Lincolnshire Police have not released the mugshots of the four defendants.

References

1. ^ Lincoln Crown Court (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Lincoln Crown Court (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Lincoln Crown Court (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)