Manhunt is launched for father, 31, who ‘killed his daughter in crash while drink driving’ after he failed to show up at court

A manhunt was launched for the father, who was found guilty of causing the death of his seven-month-old daughter in an accident caused by drunk driving, after he did not attend the hearing and sentencing.

Police are appealing for information to trace Emmanuel Sakyi, 31, of Milton Keynes, who was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in his absence and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The renewed appeal came after officers arrested a 40-year-old woman on suspicion of assisting an offender as part of efforts to find Sakyi. He has since been released under investigation while the investigation continues.

Sakyi disappeared ahead of a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court and remains at large.

The case relates to an accident on December 4, 2022, in which Sakyi drove his gray Peugeot 508 on the wrong side of the road between the Bond Boulevard junction and the Fenny Lock junction in Milton Keynes.

He was more than two and a half times the legal drink-driving limit when his car collided head-on with a Fiat 500.

His daughter Emmanuela, who was only seven months old, was fatally injured.

Prosecutors said he was not properly seated in an appropriate child seat at the time of the crash.

Sakyi was driving his gray Peugeot 508 on the wrong side of the road between the Bond Avenue junction and Fenny Lock junction in Milton Keynes and was more than two-and-a-half times the legal drink-driving limit when his vehicle collided head-on with a Fiat 500.

Sakyi, who fled the scene on foot after the accident, was later arrested by the police.

However, his failure to attend the trial and sentencing led to him being convicted in his absence and launching an ongoing manhunt.

As part of the renewed appeal, Thames Valley Police have released reconstruction footage and footage of the crash to help locate it and highlight the consequences of dangerous and drink driving.

Sakyi is described as a Black man of medium build with black hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5 ft 3 inches tall.

Detective Inspector Justin Thomas, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Nearly four years ago, seven-month-old Emmanuela lost her life because her father chose to drink and drive. Emmanuel Sakyi should be behind bars. Instead he goes free.

‘We have arrested one person and are continuing our investigations to locate Sakyi but we still need the public’s help.

‘We are releasing footage of Sakyi’s crash and the damage to his car today to show the disastrous consequences of the choices he made that day. Emmanuela’s death was completely preventable.

‘His mother, Ruth Oppong, 34, was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison, suspended for two years, following a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court for aiding and abetting death by dangerous driving and causing unnecessary pain or injury to a child.

‘We know there are people in the community who know Sakyi’s whereabouts or have information that could help us find her.

I urge anyone who aided him, harbored him or helped him escape justice to consider the seriousness of this case and do the right thing.

‘Emmanuela died and Sakyi was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Our determination to find him has not diminished.

We hope that those who knew Emmanuela and those who follow this case will help justice be served.

‘If you know Sakyi’s whereabouts or have any information that could assist our investigation please contact Thames Valley Police.’

Anyone with information on Sakyi’s whereabouts should call 101 or report online using reference 20260622-2396.

Police are warning the public that if they see Sakyi, they should not approach him and call 999 immediately.

Information can also be provided anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.