Uninsured driver jailed for killing 'cheerful' four-year-old girl

An uninsured driver who killed a four-year-old girl after making a "split-second decision" to overtake has been jailed for five years and four months.

Mayar Yahia was walking home with her family from Eid celebrations on 14 April, 2024, when she was struck by a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Javonnie Tavener, 23.

Two women were also seriously injured by Tavener, who initially left the scene but returned around 30 minutes later.

Mayar's family said there were no "words that can truly describe how special she was, or how much we miss her".

Tavener pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured, and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.

He was also disqualified from driving for six years.

Tavener was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court. Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the West Midlands serious collision investigation unit, urged drivers to think about the incident and how decisions can have "catastrophic consequences".

He added that Tavener had made no efforts to ring the emergency services in the aftermath of the crash on Upper Highgate Street, Birmingham.

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In a tribute issued through the police, Mayar's family said: "Mayar was an extraordinary child. She was full of love and always smiling, kind to everyone and made friends easily.

"She was cheerful and bright, and she brought happiness to everyone around her at home, in her school and her neighbourhood."

"No one deserves to lose a loved one like this."

(c) Sky News 2026: Uninsured driver jailed for killing 'cheerful' four-year-old girl