Mum pays heartbreaking tribute to son who died after being hit by drunk driver in Lancashire

Emily Rogers, 20, had been drinking alcohol in the Waterloo Pub, Bacup, when she got into her Suzuki Alto to give a friend, who had no money for a taxi, a lift home to Rawtenstall.

Rogers, who had drunk two pints of lager and two bottles of beer, was travelling along Market Street when she struck a pedestrian shortly after 1am on June 17, 2019.

The pedestrian, identified as 24-year-old Kristian Johnson, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kristian’s mum, Paula Johnson, paid a heartfelt tribute to her only son while reading a victim impact statement to the court.

She said: "Kristian was my only son. He was my life, my world, my everything. When the police came and told me he was dead I broke down. I couldn’t believe that I had lost my child, the one and only thing that I treasured and loved so much.

"I dream of Kristian every night. I see him in the future. I find myself day dreaming about his wedding day, his blond hair and blue eyes. I know he always wanted children.

"No-one will ever know what has been taken from me. Taken by a wanton illegal act. An act that served no purpose other than to save a taxi fare."

Rogers, who was 19 at the time of the incident, admitted causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs.

She was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, reduced to three years for an early guilty plea, at Preston Crown Court today (June 16).

Rogers, of Greensnook Lane, Bacup, was also disqualified from driving for four and a half years.

PC Alex Summers, of East Police, said: "This is a tragic case where a woman has lost her only son through the selfish actions of a drink driver.

"My thoughts are very much with her at this time. No jail term can ever compensate for the loss of a life, but I hope that today’s sentence can offer Mrs Johnson some chance to move on.

"This case sadly once again shows all too clearly the devastating consequences that can result from getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking or taking drugs."