Police hunt for father guilty of causing baby daughter’s death in drunken car crash
Police are searching for a father convicted in absentia of causing the death of his young daughter by driving drunk on the wrong side of the road.
Emmanuel Sakyi, 31, allegedly fled the scene after colliding with an oncoming car on Bletcham Road in Milton Keynes in December 2022.
Her 7-month-old daughter, Emmanuela, who was sitting on her mother’s lap in the passenger seat, was seriously injured in the accident and died in the hospital where she was taken.
Sakyi, from Milton Keynes, failed to attend his trial at Aylesbury Crown Court last week after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
On Monday, he was found guilty by a unanimous jury after deliberating for just over two and a half hours and was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison.
During the trial, jurors heard Sakyi was driving while twice the legal alcohol limit and “clearly well below” any reasonable driving standards.
The man drove his gray Peugeot 508 “for a considerable distance on the wrong side of the road” before crashing into a green Fiat 500, the court heard.
Prosecutor Daren Samat said that the defendant did not put his daughter in a car seat or properly fasten her, as was his legal responsibility.
Instead, Sakyi was heard “allowing herself to be carried by her mother in the front seat”.
Mr Samat told the court that Emmanuela was sitting on her mother’s lap with a seat belt tied around her stomach.
“We say that this in itself is completely inappropriate and dangerous,” he added.
Jurors heard the defendant did not respond to the driver of the oncoming Fiat 500, named in court as Shannon Willison, who flashed his lights and honked his horn to attract his attention.
“Instead he continued straight ahead and crashed into the Fiat 500 despite the other driver doing his best to avoid the collision,” Samat added.
The prosecutor said the defendant, who allegedly knew he was responsible for the collision, “would not stand by the police” and fled the scene.
He said the defendant may not have known how serious the injuries to baby Emmanuela were at this stage.
Sakyi was later arrested by police outside his home address, but as he was unable to attend the hearing Thames Valley Police are now appealing for help in locating him.
He is described as a black man of medium build, black hair, brown eyes and approximately 6 feet tall.
Detective Sergeant Ed Crofts, head of investigations, said: “Inquiries are ongoing to locate Emmanuel Sakyi and we are now appealing for the public’s help in locating him.
“This is a devastating case that claimed the life of a child. Our investigations are focused on ensuring Sakyi faces the consequences of his actions.”
He added that if citizens see Sakyi, they should not approach him but instead call 999.
Police have appealed for anyone with information on Sakyi’s whereabouts to call 101 or report anonymously online using reference 20260622-2396 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sakyi, of Milton Keynes, denied the allegation but was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 years.
