The grieving family of a graduate who died after he was hit by a car metres from his home has launched a campaign to help ensure drink drivers are jailed.
George Beresford, 21, a former pupil at John Fisher School, died three days after he was struck by a BMW near his home in Buttermere Gardens, Riddlesdown, on February 7 last year.
No CCTV footage, witnesses or physical evidence was found at the scene.
The man who caused the crash walked free from court with a fine and a motoring ban after he was charged with driving-driving.
This carries a lower penalty than death by dangerous driving.
George Beresford was a pupil at John Fisher School in Purley from 2005 to 2012. He went University of Exeter and graduated last year
Mr Beresford’s parents Mark and Shaena are campaigning to change the law so drink-drivers who cause death are charged with careless driving and must spend at least one night behind bars.
The couple have set up a website, Justice4George.co.uk, to help members of the public have a say on the outcome of their hard-fought battle.
Mr and Mrs Bersford said in statement: “This accident would never have happened if the driver had done the right thing and not driven home.
“As a result of making the decision to drive whilst over the legal drink drive limit, he is therefore fully responsible for the death of our son and should have been punished accordingly.”
The devastated parents accompanied Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South, in Parliament where they spoke about their campaign, on December 6.
Mr Philp said: “Driving over the limit is one of the most reckless and dangerous things that a driver can do.
“Injuries or deaths caused by drink driving are utterly senseless and cause anguish and grief for entire families.
“Currently the law allows people to get away with killing while drunk behind the wheel if carelessness as well as being drunk is not proven.
“This has to change. We need to close this loophole and make sure that families get the justice for their loved ones that they deserve.”
A Government survey has been launched, which can be completed on the website, before it closes on Tuesday, January 31.
RELATED: Purley parents lobby for change in drink-drive law following death of their son George Beresford
Flowers left at the scene of the collision in Ingleboro Drive
In statement, his parents said: “I strongly believe that if a driver is in control of a vehicle whilst over the permitted level of alcohol and causes the death of another person he or she should be charged with the offence of careless driving irrespective of whether there is actual evidence that they were driving carelessly.
“[They] should receive a prison sentence of sufficient length to recognise the events that occurred whilst they were in charge of the vehicle.
“The act of carelessness should start from the minute the driver makes the decision to drive when over the drink drive limit and as a result they should be charged with this offence as a minimum.
“We have a drink drive limit in this country and anyone driving whilst over this limit should be deemed as driving carelessly and fully responsible for any events that occur whilst they are in charge of the vehicle.”
In outpouring of grief on social media, friends and relatives paid tribute to Mr Beresford as a “great friend” who “made an impact to anyone who knew you”.
His mother posted a photo of the family of five holding his hand at his hospital bed, which she described as “our last family photo”.
In another post she said her son would be “that brightest star”.
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