Family pay tribute to woman who died in Glenfield Road collision
“A force of nature and the epitome of love and strength”
The family of a woman killed in a collision while travelling home in a taxi have spoken of the enormous void her death has left in their lives and described her as a “force of nature” who “knew how to do life well”.
On Saturday 16 September 2023, Donna Brighton had spent the day celebrating her 60th birthday with friends in Birmingham. She was making her way home from the train station when the taxi she was travelling in was involved in a collision with a car in Glenfield Road, Leicester.
Two other passengers travelling in the taxi also sustained serious injuries.
In tribute to Donna, her family said: “Donna was a force of nature, a source of inspiration, and the epitome of love and strength. Her positive outlook on life was infectious. She has left an enormous void that we must now live with in her absence.
“She touched the lives of everyone she encountered through her kindness. She was compassionate, always ready to offer a helping hand to those in need and always asking after others. She had a gift for making people feel valued, supported and cared for.
“Donna was always the heart and soul of family gatherings, bringing joy and warmth to every occasion. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, nanna, sister, auntie, in-law and friend.
“When our family spoke about her greatest achievements in life, despite a long list of accomplishments, we all agreed that her greatest achievement was simply that she knew how to do life well.”
It was shortly before 8.25pm that police were called to a report of a collision at the junction of Glenfield Road and Westfield Road.
As part of the investigation, detectives from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) established the collision happened as the taxi attempted to turn right from Glenfield Road into Westfield Road and collided with the Astra, which was travelling along Glenfield Road in the opposite direction.
It was calculated that Goulty was travelling at around 55mph in the 30mph zone at the time of the collision.
Donna was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The two other passengers in the taxi, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 50s, suffered serious injuries.
Neither of the drivers were injured in the incident.
Remembering the day of the incident, Donna’s family added: “On the day she was taken from us, Donna was celebrating her 60th birthday with friends in Birmingham.
“After a lovely day, the group returned to Leicester by train and decided to get taxis home. BBC Radio 2 in the Park was taking place in Leicester that weekend, so taxis were in short supply.
“Donna began talking to a couple who were also waiting for a taxi and realised they were all heading in the same direction. They agreed to share a taxi home as they didn’t know how long they would be waiting for another one. All three simply wanted to get home safely.
“The events of that night continue to haunt every member of the family. No amount of time can ever undo the devastation of that moment.
“At the same time, we were deeply worried for the other two people in the taxi, knowing they were fighting for their lives. We desperately hoped they would make a full recovery, and I know that is exactly what Donna would have wanted too.
“We firmly believe this tragedy was avoidable. The decisions made that night by Mr Goulty and Mr Mohammad did not just change one life; they devastated an entire family and affected countless others. The consequences of those choices will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
Detective Constable Louise Hough, officer in the case, said: “This was a tragic collision which resulted in Donna losing her life and two other people suffering serious injuries.
“Both drivers had a responsibility to drive with care and consideration and both failed in that responsibility.
“Goulty was travelling at around 55mph in a 30mph zone, significantly above the speed limit, while Mohammad turned his taxi into the path of the approaching Astra. The decisions they made behind the wheel that night had devastating and irreversible consequences for Donna’s family and the other people involved.
“This case is a stark reminder of why drivers must obey speed limits and take the necessary care before carrying out any manoeuvre. A decision made in a matter of seconds can have consequences that last a lifetime.
“My thoughts remain with Donna’s family and with the two other people injured in the collision.”
Leicestershire Police News - Published: 15:30 21/09/2026
