Robert Blakely, 31, from Sandown was today sentenced to ten years after pleading guilty to causing the death of Evey Staley whilst driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
Police confirm Blakely was also given a further ten year disqualification from driving with an extended retest qualification at the end of that period.
The ten year old tragically died following a road traffic incident that took place on Cowes Road on 24th August 2012.
Blakely was charged back in March 2013.
Following the sad death of the ten year old, Evey’s family and school issued tributes in her memory.
Comment from police
Commenting after the sentencing, senior investigating officer Sergeant Rob Heard, of Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit, said:
On Friday, August 24, 2012 at approximately 8.30pm, Evey Staley had been the rear seat passenger in her parents Subaru Justy car, when they set off for a shopping trip.
As they exited their driveway, their vehicle was struck by a Ford Puma driven by Robert Blakely. Both vehicles received extensive damage and all the occupants in both vehicles were seriously injured as a result of the collision. Tragically Evey’s injuries were not survivable and she died the next day at Southampton General Hospital.
This was a tragic and completely avoidable death of a 10-year-old child who had her whole life ahead of her. The collision was brought about by the thoughtless actions of Robert Blakely who had been drinking and smoking cannabis throughout the day.
Being aware of his condition, Blakely still got into his car and set off from Cowes towards Newport on a dark and wet evening. He was witnessed by numerous motorists travelling at high speed and conducting at least two overtakes. It was obvious that this journey was only likely to end in disaster.
The sentence Blakely received today is irrelevant as it will not bring back Evey, but hopefully this case will highlight to everyone the dangers of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.
Our thoughts are with the Staley family at this time.
