Young Driver Sentenced for Fatal Crash After Filming Speeding Incident
A 21-year-old woman from Chipping Norton, who filmed herself speeding, has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for causing a crash that killed two people. The incident occurred just three weeks after she passed her driving test, highlighting the tragic consequences of reckless driving.
Details of the Fatal Collision
Liberty Mitchell, who was 18 at the time of the crash in December 2022, was travelling at 96mph in a 60mph zone on the B4425 near Aldsworth in Gloucestershire. She attempted to overtake three vehicles simultaneously before aborting the manoeuvre and colliding with a taxi. The crash involved Mitchell's grey Mini Cooper, a black Audi A3, a grey Polestar 2, and a black Seat Leon, occurring around 12.45pm.
The victims were taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, who was on her way to a wedding. Both died at the scene. Mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving whilst uninsured, as well as three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, Judge Rupert Lowe sentenced Mitchell, who wept openly in the dock. He noted that at the time of the collision, Mitchell had held a full driving licence for less than three weeks and described her as a "reckless and immature young driver" suffering from a "common teenage delusion" of invulnerability.
Defence lawyer Simon Stirling suggested Mitchell's actions stemmed from "inexperience rather than irresponsibility," arguing she did not understand the risks of her manoeuvre due to her recent test pass. However, Judge Lowe emphasised that the lives of all victims and their families have been "irrevocably changed."
Impact on Victims and Families
The court heard harrowing details of injuries sustained in the crash, including a fractured hip, broken ribs, severe abdominal wounds, and shattered bones protruding through the skin. Nicola Cooper, a passenger in the taxi, described the trauma, saying, "I live with survivor's guilt and the trauma of losing one of my closest friends, Moyra, who was sitting just inches from me."
Katy-Louise Whelan, Ms Whelan's younger sister, expressed devastation, stating, "She had so much left that she wanted to experience... but the opportunity was stolen from her." She added, "It's like the light of the world is dimmed and we will never be able to turn it back on again."
Additional Penalties and Aftermath
Mitchell must serve half of her six-year-and-eight-month sentence in custody before being eligible for release on licence. She was also disqualified from driving for eight years and four months and will need to undertake an extended driving test to regain her licence. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of speeding and irresponsible driving, particularly among inexperienced motorists.
