Law Student Killed by Drugged Driver Awarded Posthumous Degree

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Summary: A law student in England killed by a driver under the influence of drugs was given a first class degree to honor her accomplishments at the university.

An English law student killed by a reckless driver last year was awarded posthumously a first-class degree. Liverpool Hope student Demi Nicholson was in her last year of law school when her stalled car was hit from behind by a driver under the influence of drugs.

  

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Nicholson’s mother picked up the degree on behalf of her daughter, a 21-year-old law student just months away from starting a successful career as a barrister. Nicholson was driving her Vauxhall Corsa northbound on the carriageway of the M6 when her car broke down on January 6 of last year. She was in the outside lane but had her hazard lights on and visible brake lights while she waited for help.

The other driver, 45-year-old Adrian Fererah, was driving a blue BMW that struck Nicholson, killing her instantly. The Birmingham Crown Court sentenced Fererah to four years and eight months behind bars last week. He had pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving under the influence of drugs. He will also be prohibited from driving for five years after his release from prison.

The court heard how other drivers noticed Nicholson in advance and were able to signal and maneuver around her. Fererah was unable to do so while in his BMW and plowed into her car from behind, causing spinal and neck injuries that were fatal for Nicholson.

Nicholson was a popular student and member of the Winson Green community. Over 1,000 people attended her funeral. Her aunt said, as reported by the Daily Mail, that the family was devastated after the crash. She said, “They say that time is a healer but every day still feels like there is a grey cloud lurking that refuses to move. It hurt when Demi could not be there to pick up her certificate at her graduation and, as proud as she was, her mother Novlet Nicholson had to go and receive it on her behalf. She would have given anything to be in the audience and watch her beautiful daughter make her way up to the stage and receive the award she had worked so hard for. … Mother’s day will never be the same again for Novlet, who must try and come to term with the fact she will not be getting a card from Demi again. We have lost a beautiful soul who touched everyone she met and the world has lost an opportunity to be graced with the spirited, inspirational, legal expert that would have contributed so positively to society. She was the most beautiful girl who would light up a room. We were all so proud of her.”

Liverpool Hope University gave the posthumous first class degree to Nicholson. An award has also been established in her name for students. Her family also set up The Demi (Dream Enormous Make an Impact) Trust, which helps students from low-income families that want to attend university. They provide those students with a start pack that includes things like bedding and cookware. The family launched the charity on the first anniversary of her death at a ball at Villa Park.

Do you think these kinds of acts, although with good intentions, bring up sad memories unnecessarily? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

To learn about others that receive attention posthumously, read these articles:

• French Woman Will be Wed to Her Dead Fiancé
• Diversity Has Come a Long Way at the University of Oklahoma Law School
• 10 Highest Paid Dead Celebrities in 2017

Photo: birminghammail.co.uk