Police search for drink-driving father after fatal crash involving his daughter

Police have issued a warning to anyone providing shelter to a drink-driving father who killed his baby daughter in a crash.

Emmanuel Sakyi, 31, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a unanimous jury but failed to appear for his sentencing.

He was jailed for 15 years after being found unanimously guilty of killing his seven-month-old daughter.

Young Emmanuela, was sitting on her mother’s lap in the passenger seat, when he swerved into the wrong lane over twice the legal alcohol limit.

She suffered serious injuries in the crash and later died in hospital.

Sakyi did not appear at Aylesbury Crown Court for his trial, and is still wanted by police.

‘Nearly four years ago, seven-month-old Emmanuela lost her life because her father chose to drink drive,’ Detective inspector Justin Thomas, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said on Sunday.

‘Emmanuel Sakyi should be behind bars.

‘Instead, he remains at large.

‘We have made an arrest and are continuing our inquiries to locate Sakyi, but we still need the public’s help,’ he added.

‘We are releasing the collision reconstruction footage and damage to Sakyi’s car today to demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of the choices he made that day.

‘Emmanuela’s death was entirely preventable.’

A 40-year-old woman from Milton Keynes was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of assisting an offender, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said on Sunday.

She has since been released under investigation while inquiries continue, the force added.

Sakyi, of Milton Keynes, fled the scene after a collision with an oncoming car on Bletcham Way in Milton Keynes in December 2022, his trial previously heard.

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’s mother Ruth Oppong, 34, was sentenced to one year and nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, following a trial at Aylesbury Crown Court where she was convicted of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and causing unnecessary suffering or injury to a child, according to TVP.

Sakyi, of Milton Keynes, is described as a black man with a medium build, with black hair and brown eyes and is around 5ft 3inches tall.

‘We know there are people within the community who know where Sakyi is or have information that could help us find him,’ Mr Thomas said.

‘I would urge anybody who is assisting him, harbouring him, or helping him evade justice to consider the seriousness of this case and do the right thing.

‘Emmanuela lost her life and Sakyi has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

‘Our determination to locate him has not diminished.

‘We hope those who knew Emmanuela, and those who have followed this case, will help us ensure that justice is served.

‘If you know where Sakyi is, or have any information which could assist our investigation, please contact Thames Valley Police.’

Members of the public who believe they have recognised Sakyi have also been warned not approach him, and instead call 999 immediately.