Man who killed woman in A56 Accrington crash sentenced

Gary Pearce, 59, was travelling between 84 and 92mph when he ploughed his black Mercedes-Benz C220 into the side of a silver Toyota C-HR, in which Saniya Riaz was the passenger.

The crash happened shortly before 8pm on October 14, 2022, on the A56 near Accrington, at the roundabout joining to junction eight of the M65.

The hearing at Preston Crown Court heard Pearce was breathalysed after the crash and the result showed he had 69mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, with the legal limit being 35.

Gary Pearce (Image: Lancashire Police)

Peter Barr, prosecuting, said both vehicles were travelling along the A56 when Pearce crossed from lane two into lane three around 11metres from the junction. Data from Pearce’s car showed he was travelling at 129mph prior to the impact and had reached a top speed of 132mph on approach to the junction.

He collided with the nearside of the Toyota, driven by Saniya’s husband, which pushed the car into the grassy area at the centre of the roundabout before it came to a stop on its roof.

Mohammed Khan, the driver, sustained minor injuries, as did Pearce.

Saniya died at Royal Preston Hospital the day after the crash.

An account read to the court by Mr Barr from a witness, Mr Davenport, said the driver of the Mercedes did not seem to brake or avoid any vehicles before ploughing into the Toyota.

He added that after the crash, he noticed the male who had been driving the Mercedes light up a cigarette, and he seemed “very nonchalant” and “didn’t really care about what he’d done.”

Other witnesses said they could smell the alcohol on Pearce’s breath.

Pearce was arrested and answered no comment to all questions in an interview. He has no previous convictions.

Mr Barr read victim impact statements from four members of Saniya’s family to the court.

The statement from her mother confirmed Saniya was one of six children and was her third child. She described Saniya as her “right hand” and that “she used to look after everyone.”

Saniya’s brother said the pair were very close and grew up together, going to the same schools and college, and “had a very strong bond.”

Her sister said she was “emotionally drained” from the accident and that Pearce “has destroyed our lives in so many ways.” She added, “there is no excuse for what he’s done.”

READ MORE: Man pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

Saniya’s aunt said they had a relationship more akin to sisters. She also said she drives that route from Manchester when she goes to visit family in Nelson and has flashbacks about what happens every time she makes the journey.

The court heard how the family had been getting ready to celebrate Saniya’s birthday as she had turned 30 the day before the accident.

She had been out for a meal with her husband on the day of the crash.

Her family say the presents they bought for Saniya remain unopened, and they have not yet been able to remove any of Saniya’s belongings from the house.

Damian Zelazowski, mitigating for Pearce, said a short while before the incident Pearce’s wife of 11 years died, and this had caused him to become dependent on alcohol.

Mr Zelazowski said, “ultimately, he lost his previous enthusiasm and drive.”

He added Pearce “absolutely accepts his responsibility for what took place that night.”

Pearce pleaded guilty to an offence of causing death by dangerous driving at a hearing in January.

Gary Pearce outside Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to the offence in January (Image: NQ)

Judge Philip Parry, sentencing, said: “As a result of your highly dangerous driving, a young woman died, and she should never have died in the circumstances she did.

“You took away a child’s mother, a husband’s wife, a mother and father’s daughter, and a sister to loving siblings.

“You acted arrogantly, thinking you could drive this speed whilst twice the drink-drive limit.

“The impact of you causing the death of Ms Riyaz on her family has been and will continue to be devastating. They say, in a nutshell, you have ruined their lives.

“This was a deliberate decision by you to ignore the rules of the road. You executed an obviously highly dangerous manoeuvre and your speed was in significant excess of the speed limit.”

Pearce, of Denton Lane, Chadderton, Oldham, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also banned from driving for 11 years and eight months and must complete an extended retest.