Martin Fitzharris was building his nephew a PC for Christmas on the afternoon of December 23, 2023, when his partner Clair's Apple Watch sent him a message saying they had been involved in a collision. Within seconds he tried to call everyone who had been in the car, with no success. Eventually someone answered Clair's phone, but it was not Clair.
Clair, 42, and Sam, 15, had been killed. His daughter was left with life-changing injuries that still require surgery to this day.
Court hears of 90mph collision
Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Andrew Hall collided with their Nissan on Ripponden Road, Oldham, after veering onto the opposite side of the road. He had been travelling at over 90mph, overtaken other cars, and braked three seconds before the crash, hitting 73mph.
Hall, of Doctor Lane, Scouthead, Oldham, was jailed for 13-and-a-half years for causing their deaths, and injuries, by dangerous driving. At his sentence hearing, statements from several members of the Fitzharris family were read out on their behalf by Det. Sgt Matt Waggett.
Family's heartfelt statements
Martin said Clair, who used they/them pronouns, grew up in the Bolton area. They were the mother to his two children and had a keen interest in art. They both began pottery classes in early 2023, with Clair quickly developing a talent for it. He said he has been unable to return to pottery classes since their death.
He described Clair as 'highly intelligent, kind and considerate', and said a student described them as a 'beautiful, powerful art warrior'. Martin said they helped others and volunteered at a charity which supports parents of trans children.
Speaking of Sam, he said: "From the moment Sam was here, I loved him. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of blue. He loved music and English. He was kind, considerable, loyal and a loving person."
Martin said life had been a big adjustment for him and his daughter, and said Christmas was a hard time for them both. "We don't celebrate Christmas, we don't decorate the house, we don't have Christmas dinner, we don't get presents."
Hall's driving and sentence
Hall, 37, was driving down Ripponden Road when he veered onto the opposite side and smashed into the Nissan driven by Clair, with Sam in the back passenger seat and their 13-year-old daughter in the front passenger seat. Witnesses reported Hall to be overtaking other cars as he came off the junction on the M62 to join the road, which is governed by a 50mph speed limit.
In the aftermath, Hall was taken to hospital and his blood was tested for alcohol, giving a reading of 77 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal driving limit is 80 milligrams. At the scene, Hall initially blamed Ms Fitzharris, claiming they had driven onto his side of the road. However, when officers later smelt alcohol on his breath, he told them to 'throw the book at me, mate'.
He pleaded guilty to two offences of causing death by dangerous driving, and one offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. A previous charge of driving above the alcohol limit was withdrawn at an earlier hearing. Hall was jailed for 13-and-a-half years, and banned from driving for six years and nine months. He must take an extended re-test before being allowed back behind the wheel.
