A YOUNG woman was killed when a speeding driver collided with her parked car before fleeing the scene.
Claudia-Rose Moor, from St Leonards, was sitting in a stationary car in a layby on the A21 when she was hit by an out-of-control motorist.
Myles Woollett was trying to overtake another vehicle when he smashed into the 23-year-old.
The 22-year-old fled the scene, near Robertsbridge, leaving her trapped in the wreckage.
She died in hospital two days later. Woollett has now been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.
Speakin after the case, mother Nicola Moor, 47, said: “Claudia’s charismatic personality made her such a great friend to everyone.
"She was incredibly funny and always brought laughter and noise, she never saw wrong in others and was always the first to offer aid to others less fortunate than herself.
“Claudia was full of compassion and generosity, her heart brimming full of love for her family and her so many friends.
“As Claudia’s mother, I am so incredibly proud of her morals and what she stood for, so full of kindness and support of others.
"She was incredibly beautiful both inside and out, a strong and fiercely independent young woman who would give her love to others so freely.
“It has been the greatest honour to be mummy to Claudia, I will continue to miss my brilliant best friend every moment of every day forever more.”
Woollett, of Mereworth, near Maidstone, met his cousin to go out for a drive in April 2020.
Less than an hour before the fatal crash staff at a Waitrose store in Paddock Wood refused him entry because they believed he had consumed alcohol or drugs.
His cousin filmed mobile phone footage inside the Vauxhall Adam, which showed Woollett’s dangerous driving at excess speed.
Witnesses saw him attempting dangerous manoeuvres as he approached the A21 at Mountfield near Robertsbridge, including near misses with other vehicles.
In the moments before the crash, he reached speeds of up to 98mph and then attempted to overtake a Nissan Almera.
However, he lost control as he tried to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming Honda Jazz.
Woollett then veered across the road, colliding with Claudia-Rose’s vehicle.
Woollett fled the scene leaving his own cousin trapped in his car.
He was arrested the next day at the address of a relative 20 miles away in Yalding, Kent.
Claudia-Rose was severley injured in the crash and died two days later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital on April 27 2020.
Woollett appeared at Lewes Crown Court on February 21 where he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He also admitted causing serious injuries by dangerous driving to a passenger in his own vehicle.
Woollett was jailed for six years.
He was also disqualified from driving for seven years and was told he would need to take an extended retest before he would be allowed to get his licence back.
In a statement, Claudia-Rose’s family said: “Words do not justify the pain we feel, the impact of grief has been catastrophic on us as a family.
“We have been robbed of our gorgeous girl and we are all burdened by the constant numbness of grief. It is impossible that our lives can ever be the same again.”
The family said Claudia-Rose was a team leader at the Co-operative and had previously studied art and drama at the William Parker Sixth Form in Hastings.
They have issued a message to motorists, saying: “We wish to voice our support of Sussex Police’s campaign in raising awareness of dangerous driving and to tell all drivers who have ever driven too fast or under the influence of drink or drugs to stop.
“The driver of the vehicle which killed Claudia drove in a reckless and fatal manner.
“He was void of all care or consideration for members of the public and other road users.
“The safety of others was comprehensively ignored and as a result that car became a lethal weapon in his hands.
“This is an unpardonable crime; the outcome of the sentence today will never be enough.
“Claudia had just turned 23. Her young life was stolen from her.
“She had every right to be safe and every right to live her life, yet her rights were critically destroyed by the dangerous driver of the vehicle that killed her.
“So many lives have been impacted by what happened that day, his actions are unforgivable.
“Do you know someone who drives at high speed using roads recklessly? If you do, report them.
“All drivers should take responsibility for their actions.
“Do not drive dangerously, recklessly or under the influence of drink or drugs, as the consequences can be catastrophic.
“Slow down before you or someone else becomes a victim.”
You can report antisocial, careless or dangerous driving online via Operation Crackdown, on the Sussex Police website, or call 101. In an emergency dial 999.
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