A GRIEVING family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to their “beautiful” son who tragically lost his life in a fatal car crash.
William Ray, 17, died when a woman in an Audi smashed into his Ford Fiesta.
Family handout William Ray was driving at the time of the horror[/caption]
Family handoutWilliam’s mate Eddie Shore was also killed in the crash[/caption]
The teenager, who had been stopped at temporary traffic lights, was killed in the horror crash along with his mate Eddie Shore, 18.
Mum-of-two Natasha Allarakhia was driving her two young daughters when she crashed into William’s Ford in North Rauceby, Lincolnshire.
Allarakhia, 36, from Norwich — was sentenced to ten years in prison earlier this week.
The court was told she was sipping alcohol while at the wheel and had been driving at 90mph before the crash.
She also lied to the police to try to escape justice for her actions, the court heard.
William’s heartbroken mum, Sarah Barker, has now paid a touching tribute to her boy, who “brought love to everything he did”.
She said: “Will was not just my only son, he was also my best friend, and I love him dearly.
“Throughout his life, he brought me joy, love and hope in everything he did.
“But not only that, he was a fantastic stepson, grandson and brother.”
Sarah told how William had a bright future ahead of him – and was about to embark on an aerospace engineering course at university.
She added: “Will’s life was only just starting and he was looking forward to beginning the next chapter of it.
“He was both academic and athletic – not only was he gifted at gymnastics where he trained at Lincoln Gymnastic Club, but also a keen rugby player at Sleaford Rugby Club.
“He was due to attend the University of Sheffield to study aerospace engineering, having successfully passed his A-levels, something he never got to see.
“As a mother, I will never get to see Will graduate, get married or make his future life. ”
William’s father Steven has also paid tribute to his son: “Will had been out celebrating with his friends as they concluded their A-level examinations and were returning home when he was taken from us.
“He had been looking forward to a future of university, travel, relationships, all of which I know would have been filled with success.
“Will was the best of us, as a son, brother, grandson, and friend. A sportsman, academic and boyfriend – I genuinely believe that I never heard a bad word said against him. ”
“We now all have to learn what a new normal will be for us without Will. He will never be forgotten.”
Natasha Allarakhia has been jailed for ten years
Lincoln Crown Court heard Allarakhia was disqualified from driving in January this year over failing to provide information about two speeding offences in the weeks before and after the fatal crash.
At the time of the tragedy, she was “literally drinking and driving” as she sped around with her two daughters, aged seven and 12, in the back while sipping from a can of lager.
She reached speeds of 96mph before crashing into William’s stationary car at 70mph.
The mum then laughed while taking a roadside breathalyser test and spent more than an hour lying to police.
Data taken from the two cars showed Allarakhia did not take her foot off the accelerator until just two seconds before the collision.
It also revealed she was just 121ft away from the Fiesta when her brakes were briefly applied.
Prosecutor David Eager said William in comparison had shown “exemplary” driving before the crash in June last year.
Allarakhia admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and one charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
She was also banned from driving for a total of 12 years and 8 months and must take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.
Allarakhia wept and cried out “I’m so sorry” as William and Eddie’s families read heartbreaking victim impact statements.
Allarakhia admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
