Cardiff University student killed in crash while walking her dog

Lucy Atkins had just finished her first year at Cardiff University when she was involved in the fatal crash

15:49, 26 Nov 2025

A family has paid a heartfelt tribute to a student who tragically died in a horror car crash. The driver who hit the young woman and her dog at 63mph has now been jailed.

Lucy Atkins, a student at Cardiff University[1], died after being struck by the car which was driven by Danielle Mitten, 34. The family's Lakeland Terrier, Simba, was also killed in the incident which took place in Quinton, Birmingham, on June 24, 2024.

West Midlands Police determined that prior to the crash Mitten had been driving at speeds of up to 82mph, more than double the 40mph speed limit.

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Mitten, from Baldwin Road, Birmingham, admitted to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to five years and four months in prison on Friday, November 21.

Mitten was also banned from driving for seven years and eight months and will have to pass an extended test before she can drive again.

In a moving statement, Lucy's family described her as a "force of nature", stating that her death has caused them "immense pain".

They described Lucy, who had just completed her first year studying for a BSc in business management at Cardiff[3] Business School[4], as "loving, kind, caring and thoughtful".

They added: "The loss of Lucy, together with our dog Simba has brought immense pain to all our lives. We have described Lucy as a force of nature who touched all she knew or met.

"She was full of life and enjoyed her life.

Lucy was loving, kind, caring and thoughtful.

"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 as 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. Because this is what Lucy would have wanted.

"Nothing will bring our beloved Lucy and Simba back, but 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."

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References

1. ^ Cardiff University (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ sign up to our daily newsletter (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^ School (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^ our WhatsApp community here (chat.whatsapp.com)
6. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)