'Reckless' driver jailed after woman's crash death

A man has been jailed for six years for causing a fatal crash in which an 18-year-old woman died when the car he was driving hit a tree.

Teegan Brabant, 22, was driving a silver Ford Fiesta in the early hours of 17 September 2022 when he collided with a tree on the B1110 at North Elmham, Norfolk.

Front seat passenger Mariana Faustino-Valente was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died two days later. Two back-seat passengers were injured.

Brabant, of Litcham Road, Mileham, pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving at King's Lynn Crown Court.

Norfolk Police said the defendant "not only drove recklessly but made reckless choices".

The rear-seat passengers, one of whom received a fractured wrist in the crash, described his driving as dangerous, according to Norfolk Police.

They witnessed him pumping up a deflating tyre before the journey and a vehicle examination revealed one of the tyres was bald.

"He has been described as driving too fast for the wet slippery conditions, with a tyre so bald it would offer no grip on the road surface," said Det Insp Dave McCormack.

"His driving cost a young woman her life and injured two other young women, all of which were passengers in the vehicle."

He commended the bravery of the surviving passengers and Ms Faustino-Valente's family.

Brabant was also disqualified from driving for eight years and told he must take an extended driving test before he can drive again.

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