Drunk driver killed friend in crash

2:44pm Friday 23rd November 2007

A DRIVER who killed a passenger in her car when she drove into a lamppost has admitted she was drunk at the time.

Samantha Pickup, aged 21, pleaded guilty to causing death whilst under the influence of drink and driving without due care and attention at Croydon Crown Court yesterday (Nov 22).

Pickup, of Plantation Drive, Orpington, crashed her Suzuki Alto car into a lamppost in Bromley Common, near Homesdale Road.

Emergency services were called to the accident at 11.45pm on April 7 and freed Pickup and her four passengers from the car.

One of the passengers, Abby Groves, of St Paul's Cray, was killed in the collision.

The 20-year-old, who was the front seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering head injuries.

Miss Groves, who worked as a travel rep in Menorca in the summer months of 2005 and 2006, was described as a "truly terrific person" by her friend Sarah Sanders, from Birmingham.

She said: "Abby used to make me laugh until I had tears rolling down my face and my sides were aching.

"We shared some brilliant times and made some terrific memories that will stay with me forever.

"She was a great person and will be sorely missed."

Her funeral service was held at Beckenham Crematorium on April 20.

Pickup suffered serious facial injuries in the crash and was taken to Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough.

The three rear seat passengers, two men and one woman - all aged in their late teens or early 20s, were also treated for minor injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

Pickup was arrested on the day of the incident and charged on August 17 following an investigation by the Met's Collision Investigation Unit based in Catford.

Pickup will be sentenced on January 3.

• If you knew Miss Groves and would like to add a message on her condolence page click here