Woman, 19, charged over crash death of ‘outgoing and beautiful’ Sunderland teenager
A 19-year-old is due to appeal in court in connection with the death of Sunderland teenager.
Yasmin Martin, 19, of Chantry Close in Sunderland, was charged by postal requisition with causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the incident which saw Mia Marsh, 17, die on the A1231 in Sunderland[1] in December 2022.
Mia, from the Hylton Castle area was found dead at the scene and a police investigation has been ongoing since. A Black Vauxhall Astra was found to have left the carriageway, crossed the central reservation and then collided with fencing on the other side of the road - on the then-new stretch between the Northern Spire and Queen Alexandra bridges.
Martin is due at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court[2] today (May 23).
Inspector Sarah Munnelly, of Northumbria Police’s[3] roads policing team, said: "Any death on our roads is a tragedy but it’s even more poignant when it involves somebody so young, who had their whole life ahead of them. We’ll continue to support Mia’s family at this difficult time and would like to thank them for their strength and patience shown throughout our investigation."
With court proceedings set to begin, Insp Munnelly warned the public to avoid speculation. She said: "With a suspect now due in court, we would ask everyone to avoid any speculation – both online and out in the community – that could jeopardise the live legal proceedings."
After Mia's death, parents Gary and Danielle issues a tribute to the "funny, outgoing and beautiful" teenager. They said: "She would light up a room and was one of a kind. We are devastated by what has happened. She was so looking forward to becoming an auntie and we can’t believe that she has been cruelly taken away from us, with her whole future ahead of her.
“Mia was a people person. She had just got a job at Footasylum which she loved and was also training at Hays Travel – working to help people and put a smile on their faces.
Seventeen-year-old Mia Marsh (Image: Northumbria Police)
“She and her sister McKenzie were best friends, and Mia loved her dog Billy. We have so many treasured memories – holidays together in the caravan growing up, as well as going abroad to Disneyland, Greece and Bulgaria. She loved spending time with her boyfriend Konna, and she really enjoyed shopping, eating out and socialising. She would be constantly singing in every room she was in – you’d always hear her, even if you didn’t see her!
"As a family, we’ve been blown away by everyone’s response and the messages of support we’ve received – it’s been overwhelming. I’d like to thank everybody for their kindness and it shows how loved Mia was by everyone who knew her."
Any witnesses who have yet to come forward can contact police via the ‘Report’ page of the force website[4] or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20221203-0062.
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References
- ^ Sunderland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Magistrates' Court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Northumbria Police’s (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ the ‘Report’ page of the force website (www.northumbria.police.uk)
- ^ Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ click on the link (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ privacy notice (www.reachplc.com)
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