Police are searching for a father after he was convicted in absentia of causing the death of his baby daughter by drunkenly driving on the wrong side of the road.
Emmanuel Sakyi, 31, allegedly fled the scene after colliding with an oncoming car on Bletcham Way in Milton Keynes in December 2022.
His seven-month-old daughter Emmanuela was sitting on her mother’s lap in the passenger seat, and she suffered serious injuries in the crash before dying in hospital.
Sakyi, of Milton Keynes, did not appear at Aylesbury Crown Court for his trial last week after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
On Monday, he was found guilty by a unanimous jury after just over two and a half hours of deliberation, and was sentenced in absentia to 15 years’ imprisonment.
During the trial, jurors heard that Sakyi was driving while twice the legal alcohol limit and “demonstrably far below” the standard of any reasonable motorist.
He drove his grey Peugeot 508 “for a considerable distance on the wrong side of the road” before colliding with a green Fiat 500, the court heard.
Prosecutor Daren Samat said the defendant did not, as he was legally responsible to do, secure his daughter in a car seat or appropriate restraint.
It was heard that instead, Sakyi “simply allowed her to be carried in the front seat by her mother”.
Emmanuela was sitting on her mother’s lap with a seatbelt across her stomach, Mr Samat told the court.
“We say that in itself was wholly inappropriate and dangerous,” he added.
The defendant failed to respond to the driver of an oncoming Fiat 500, named in court as Shannon Willison, who was flashing her lights and beeping her horn to attract his attention, jurors heard.
“Instead, he carried on straight and despite the other driver’s best effort to avoid a collision, he drove into that Fiat 500,” Mr Samat added.
The prosecutor said the defendant, who it was alleged knew he was responsible for the collision, “wasn’t going to stick around for the police” and fled the scene.
He said that the defendant may not have known at this stage how serious the injuries to baby Emmanuela were.
Sakyi was later arrested by police outside his home address, but since he failed to appear for his trial, Thames Valley Police are now appealing for help locating him.
He is described as a black man with a medium build, with black hair and brown eyes and is around 5ft 3inches tall.
Lead investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Ed Crofts, said: “Enquiries have been ongoing to locate Emmanuel Sakyi, and we are now appealing for the public’s help in locating him.
“This is a devastating case where a child’s life has been lost. Our enquiries are focused on ensuring Sakyi faces the consequences of his actions.”
He added that members of the public should not approach Sakyi if they see him, but should instead call 999.
Police have asked that anyone with information on Sakyi’s whereabouts should call 101 or make a report online quoting reference 20260622-2396, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sakyi, of Milton Keynes, denied but was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced in absentia to 15 years imprisonment, and disqualified from driving for 18 years.
