Stoke-on-Trent City Council has backed a campaign seeking to to change the law and make it possible to test drivers involved in collisions for drugs and alcohol in their system without requiring their permission.

It follows the tragic death of six-year-old Sharlotte-Sky Naglis who was killed by John Owen in June 2021.

Owen was twice over the drink-drive limit, had a series of drugs in his system, had been using a mobile phone, had no seatbelt on and was speeding when he killed the youngster as she was walking with her father along the pavement on Endon Road in Norton Green.

Following the incident, Mr Owen was in a coma, which led to delays in testing blood samples as even when he had recovered from his coma, his consent had to be given for the samples to be analysed.

Sharlotte's mother has since campaigned for a change in the law, to allow such tests to be carried out regardless of whether consent has been given.

Sharlotte's mother, Claire Reynolds, said she was thankful for the support she'd received for the campaign.

Sharlotte-Sky Naglis was killed by a drunk driver when she was walking with her father on Endon Road in Norton Green (Google).

She said: "I'm just so touched, and grateful to everybody and what everyone does for me – and does for Sharlotte and other families, so they don't have to go through this as well.

"I'm thankful to everybody who's supported us. It means the world.

"We're trying to get the word out nationally, and make people aware of it. It's not something a normal person, unless you know someone in the police force, is actually aware of.

"I just don't want families all over the UK to go through what I went through."

Local representative Cllr Duncan Walker brought the motion to the council, backed by Cllr Dave Evans.

Cllr Walker said: "I've supported the best I can, but hopefully Jonathan can meet the new justice secretary and get the change in the law that's clearly needed.

Cllr Evans added: "The strength Claire shows, not just today but day in and day out, to continue to campaign is nothing short of extraordinary.

"I think it's those sorts of people, who have that sort of strength, that make society better."

He added: "What John Owen did that day, he took decisions that had consequences.

Local representative Cllr Duncan Walker brought the motion to the council, backed by Cllr Dave Evans (Nub News).

"Road safety is a really complex issue – some of it is about the built infrastructure and some of it is about speeding, but some of it is about personal responsibility.

"John Owen was on drugs, he was drunk, he was on his phone. If you get behind the wheel of a car, you've got a responsibility.

"We all have driving licenses. If you've passed a driving test, you know how to drive legally – you have the responsibility to do that."

MP Jonathan Gullis has supported the campaign, and vowed to continue pushing to bring about a change in the law.

He said: "This is when the council is at its best, showing that unity and coming together. I though the speeches made by all councillors were truly moving."

He believes the motion being support by the city council will give momentum to get the government to make changes.

He said: "I think today will act as another decisive step forward. To have the endorsement of groups like Brake as well – who are specialists in dealing with people who've lost loved ones through dangerous drivers – will add the momentum we need.

"It is my job to get the government to listen. The city council sent a clear message to day that it is perverse that the law allows victims to have a delay in getting answers to questions they deserve answers to.

"It creates a backlog in our police forces which is totally unnecessary, when it comes to getting crimes solved, and it delays justice."

The council has also pledged to continue working with the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership to improve education around road safety (Nub News).

He is planning to meet with the new justice secretary Alex Chalk, and other government ministers, to persuade the government to adopt the legislation.

He hopes it come be attached to part of the new laws brought forward in the King's Speech the State Opening of Parliament on 7 November 2023.

The motion was supported cross-party, with the council's deputy leader Cllr Amjid Wazir saying the tragic incident was a stark reminder of the need for change.

He said: "The delays in prosecuting such cases due to certain provisions in the Road Traffic Act only made worse the pain and suffering endured by victims and their families.

"I fully support the 'Sharlotte's Law' campaign. By pushing for changes in the law to reduce these delays in prosecutions, we are taking a stand for justice.

"It is our responsibility to do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future."

He confirmed work will finally begin soon on a delayed safety scheme on Endon Road, which was first proposed in June last year.

The council has also pledged to continue working with the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership to improve education around road safety and the creation of community speed watch groups.

READ MORE: Seven people arrested in connection with conspiracy to sell drugs in Stoke-on-Trent

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