Mother Seeks Law Change After Daughter Dies in Crash at Age Eighteen

A mother wants new laws after a crash killed her daughter. Laionie Kennard, age 18, died in the car accident. Joseph Pickett, age 20, drove the car; he had passed his driving test only three weeks prior.

Pickett lost control on a country road, and the BMW hit some trees. Laionie suffered fatal head injuries, while Pickett, his girlfriend, and a friend had minor injuries. He admitted causing her death by careless driving, and the court gave him a suspended sentence.

Kelly Kennard, Laionie’s mom, wants tougher sentences and mandatory black boxes in cars. She also seeks a ban on new drivers carrying passengers, lasting for the first six months. Kelly feels the court let her family down hard.

Kelly says their family now lives a life sentence. Laionie lost her chance at life, but Pickett gets to live his life still. The situation feels like a recurring nightmare for them.

On September 16, 2023, Laionie went out with friends, planning to stay at a friend’s house that night. Later, Kelly received a call from the friend’s mom; this mom got an SOS from her daughter’s phone, including a location.

Kelly drove to the location and saw many police cars blocking the road near Ringwood. Her husband ran past the police and then saw Laionie on a stretcher. He returned and told Kelly that Laionie died; he cried, and Kelly screamed in disbelief.

Investigators think the car sped at 43-54 mph, exceeding the speed limit of 30 mph. On December 20, 2024, Pickett admitted guilt, causing death via careless driving. The court case occurred at Poole Magistrates Court.

Pickett’s commander praised his character at his trial, saying jail would end Pickett’s career. On January 29, 2025, Pickett received his sentence: ten months, suspended for two years. He must also do 250 hours of unpaid work, and he lost his driving license for two years.

The judge cited Pickett’s good character and his lack of prior offenses, then issued a suspended sentence. Kelly feels a military career became more valuable than her daughter’s life and believes those in the military are protecting civilian lives.

Kelly now pushes for a change in the law, saying the public feels outraged at the outcome. Passengers should not ride with new drivers for the first six months, she says. She states this ban should last six months because new drivers truly learn after passing the test when driving without anyone else in the car.