Solomon Amissah, aged 37 and a resident of Mount Lane, Bracknell, has been sentenced to 11 years and six months in jail following a fatal collision, according to Thames Valley Police.
The sentencing took place at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, June 20.
Amissah pleaded guilty to charges including causing death by dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit, and driving without third party insurance. These charges stem from an incident that occurred on December 17, 2022.
The court heard that Amissah had attended a Christmas party and subsequently got into his car while under the influence of alcohol, driving above the speed limit on Mill Lane in Bracknell.
Shockingly, he proceeded along the wrong carriageway against the flow of traffic before entering the Mill Pond roundabout in the wrong direction. Continuing on the dual carriageway, Amissah collided with another vehicle.
Tragically, the collision resulted in the death of a woman in her 30s, described as a mother-of-three, who sustained multiple injuries and died at the scene.
Detective Constable Joy Jarvis, the investigating officer, condemned Amissah’s actions as “one of the most dangerous pieces of driving” she has investigated.
She highlighted Amissah’s blatant disregard for the safety of others by driving intoxicated and distracted by his mobile phone along the wrong carriageway for nearly a mile.
Jarvis emphasized the gravity of Amissah’s actions, stating that the sentencing underscores the severe consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and using mobile phones while driving. She expressed condolences to the victim’s family, underscoring the lasting impact of Amissah’s reckless behavior.
Amissah was arrested on the day of the incident and formally charged on February 8, 2024. In addition to his prison sentence, he has been disqualified from driving for eight years and must undergo an extended re-test to regain his license.
The nationality of Amissah has not been revealed but it is believed that he traces his origin to Ghana. The name Amissah is one adopted by some families coming from the Central Region in the West African country.