A YOUNG West Yorkshire woman woman killed after an asylum seeker allegedly drove the wrong way down a motorway was a university-educated aspiring model, her family said today.
Rebecca Caine, 20, from Birstall near Leeds, was a back seat passenger in a Chevrolet Matiz, when the vehicle was involved in a head on collision with a Renault Megane, coming the wrong way up the motorway, allegedly driven by Zimbabwean Wilfred Museka.
Miss Caine, known as Becky, died in the crash but the driver of the Matiz and two other passengers suffered only minor injuries.
The Chevrolet was heading east towards Leeds when the collision occurred at 3am on Sunday, near to junction 21 of the M62, near Milnrow, Greater Manchester.
Museka, 31 of Powell Street, Clayton, Manchester appeared at Bury Magistrates’ Court today charged with causing death by dangerous driving and was remanded into custody.
Miss Caine leaves behind twin brother Jack, younger sister Emma, her mother Susan and her partner Russell, and father Tim and his wife Joanne.
In a tribute from her family, they said: “As you can imagine our lives are shattered and our hearts are broken into pieces.
“She was a beautiful girl with her whole life ahead of her. She was embarking on a modelling career and would be finishing her final year of her business degree at Leeds University.
“Rebecca was a bright light that attracted everything to her with her infectious laugh and her beaming smile.
“She saw the best in everyone and was loved by hundreds of friends. The worst part is the emptiness and the total waste of a beautiful life. She was only 20 when she died.
“She was our little girl now she is our little angel. Something somewhere has failed us.
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the police and other services for helping us through this difficult time.”
Museka is also charged with fraud by false representation in that he claimed to have held a full UK driving licence for 10 years to get reduced insurance premiums, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
At the brief court hearing today Robin Lynch, prosecuting, told the court the defendant is an asylum seeker in the UK.
District Judge Mark Hadfield remanded the defendant in custody to appear at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, on October 8.
Sergeant Lee Westhead from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “A team of specialist officers are now investigating and we are providing support to the victim’s family. My thoughts are with the victim’s family at this terrible time.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.