Former head girl was driving home from the pub when she killed Kristian Johnson, 24

Emily Rogers had drunk a pint of lager and bottles of beer in the Waterloo Pub, Bacup, when she got in her car to give a friend, who had no money for a taxi, a lift home to Rawtenstall. 

But at shortly after 1am on June 17, the then 19-year-old hit Kristian Johnson on Market Street in the town.  

Rogers, of Greensnook Lane, Bacup, admitted causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and must now spend three years in a young offender’s institute. 

She was also disqualified from driving for four-and-a-half years.

Prosecuting the case, Francis McEntee said both Mr Johnson’s and Rogers’ paths had crossed once before that evening, while they were both drinking in the pub.

He said: “At the time she was substantially more than twice over the legal limit of alcohol in her blood.

“CCTV recordings of the incident appear to revealed that the defendant had been oblivious to the presence of Mr Johnson and the brakes of her Suzuki vehicle were applied only after she had hit Mr Johnson.

“Sadly, Mr Johnson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Footage shown in court revealed that Mr Johnson had stepped out into the road seconds before Rogers hit him, but accident investigators confirmed she would have had at least three seconds to react to his being there.

Kristian’s mum, Paula Johnson, paid 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.”

Defending, Oliver Jarvis said his client had never been in trouble with the police before, stating the 20-year-old was full of remorse and regret over her actions.

He added: “"It is entirely possible the collision was unavoidable. Her response may have been delayed due to alcohol consumption.

"Had she been sober the collision may still have been unavoidable. One is talking literally seconds. that can only be momentary inattention."

Rogers, who it was heard plays a large role in looking after her brother, was featured in the Lancashire Telegraph at the age of 15 after becoming head girl at Fearns Community Sports College in Stacksteads.

Summarising the case, Judge Andrew Jefferies QC said: "In the early hours of June 17 last year, a life was senselessly lost. At the same time your life changed forever. 

"The simple reason for that is that you were drinking alcohol, you succumbed to peer pressure and you drove your car. 

"There was absolutely no good reason for you to get behind the wheel. 

"The expert evidence shows that you were in excess of twice over the legal limit for alcohol in your blood.

"Following your shift at work you were persuaded not to leave your car at home but to ferry your friends to the pub. 

"It is my understanding that it was during the last of the journeys you took that night that you killed Mr Johnson. 

"The victim, for some unknown reason, was standing in the carriageway.

"You have said that although you saw him you didn’t notice him step into the road.

"You were not speeding and you were otherwise driving properly. 

"I have indicated that there are no aggravating features but the observation must be made that the devastation that offences like this have is apparent from statements like the very moving one that we have heard.

"I’ve read a number of very moving character references and testimonials all attesting to this being wholly out of character."

After the case, 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.”