Heartbroken mum dies after boy, 6, killed by drunk driver on way home from school

The heartbroken mother of a six-year-old boy who was killed by a drunk and drug-fuelled driver has died.

Gemma Painter, 29, was devastated by the death of her young son Leo in February last year. The boy had just been collected from school when the taxi he was in was hit by Joe-Lewis Tyler, 34, who was driving a stolen BMW 3 Series. Tyler had downed around five pints of lager and four rounds of Sambuca and Jagermeister shots before he and a friend took the car.

Shocking CCTV captured the moment the grey BMW ploughed into the white Ford Mondeo taxi carrying Leo. Taxi driver Courtney Hemming, 26, and Claire Adkins, 39, who was escorting Leo to his foster home, died at the scene. Leo was rushed to hospital, but also died from his injuries a short time later.

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At the time of his death, Gemma had been looking forward to Leo coming to live with her again. As she lay flowers at the scene, she paid a poignant tribute to her PAW Patrol-loving son. She added: "He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. I’m heartbroken that I won’t see him again. He loved PAW Patrol and I gave him a pair of pyjamas with his favourite characters on. He said he loved wearing ‘Mummy’s pyjamas’."

The mum, who battled mental health problems following his death, died “peacefully” at home on June 30. Her grieving family paid tribute to Gemma and revealed she has saved four people through organ donations.

Gemma’s sister Kenzie Beck said: "She'll be greatly missed by many people. She was always kind and caring and would always stick up for anyone. I think it's nice to know that so many people loved and cared about her. She's gone on to save four people in organ donations.”

Her friend Beth Munden is now organising a fun day event to raise money for Gemma’s funeral and raise awareness about mental health.

She said: “Sadly on Monday 30th June 2025, Gemma passed away peacefully. She was the life of the party. She was hilarious. You could be having your worst day possible, and you could be speaking to Gemma, and you'd feel alright again. She'd rather help out other people than help herself".

A GoFundMe page has so far raised more than £2,700. An inquest into her death will take place next March.

Tyler was jailed for 18 years at Worcester Crown Court last August. He had earlier admitted three counts of both causing death by dangerous driving and driving while uninsured.

The court heard he revealed he had up to 215 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood – the legal limit being 80ml. Blood tests also showed high levels of cocaine and cannabis in his system. The court heard Tyler had been drinking with pal Miles Smith-Green in the West Midlands Tavern in Worcester, winning £100 on the fruit machines.

The pair drank five pints of lager and four shots of Sambuca and Jagerbombs before being told to leave the pub for being rowdy. They then got into the stolen BMW and, without wearing seatbelts, drove at high speed towards Badsey, Evesham, Worcs. One driver said the car was travelling so fast she was “fearful for her safety” while another said Tyler almost hit her car at 100mph.

She described the terrifying near-miss as a “near death experience”. Another said Tyler was “driving like an idiot” and had a “death wish”. At the sentencing hearing, Judge James Burbidge told Tyler: “Your actions have had a devastating effect on the victims as a result of your dangerous and selfish actions. They will remain bereft."

Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone. Call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org for more information.