Adele Ojokie Aidonojie denies causing the deaths of her friends by dangerous driving
A woman killed two of her friends by driving at more than twice the speed limit while they danced seatbeltless in the back of her car, a court has heard.
Adele Ojokie Aidonojie, 23, had been out drinking in London with Rida Boujetif, Mary Macharia and Ben Sidibe on the night of July 16, 2022 when they got in her convertible Mini Cooper together, jurors were told.
At around 3.24am in Battersea, the car crashed while its roof was down, throwing Ms Boujetif and Ms Macharia into the street where they suffered fatal head injuries.
Mr Sidibe, who is believed to have been wearing his seatbelt while sat in the front, was hospitalised with a broken arm.
Aidonojie, who denies causing the deaths or Mr Sidibe’s injuries, was driving at around 62mph on a 30mph road when the crash happened, according to forensic speed analysis presented at the Old Bailey.
Prosecutors told the court Aidonojie then told a witness at the scene: ‘Don’t call the police or ambulance, I’ll get arrested.’
She allegedly claimed there had been a ‘hit and run’ and asked another witness if the street had cameras.
Aidonojie seen leaving court after a recent hearing (Picture: Central News)
The court heard the 23-year-old passed a breathalyser test at 5.33am – two hours after the crash – but that she had been drinking along with all three of her friends.
Referring to a statement given by Mr Sidibe to police, prosecutors added: ‘He remembers the defendant telling their friends to put their seat belts on, but they just ignored her, and the conversation turned to drinking.’
The injured man told police that ‘Rida and Mary were twerking in the back of the car’.
Ms Macharia’s brother Daniel paid tribute to his ‘inspirational’ sister in a Gofundme post to raise money for funeral expenses.
He said: ‘Our Mary was the light of every room she had entered. She had always wanted the best for all of her friends and family.
‘Mary was a very hard-working and ambitious person. When she set a target for herself, she would always reach it no matter how big the mountain was to climb. She had been inspirational to all of her friends and family.
The trial continues.
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