Driver Sentenced to Ten Years for Fatal High-Speed Collision
A motorist who drove at speeds exceeding 100mph before crashing into a mother, resulting in her death, has been sentenced to ten years in prison. Ryan Scott, aged 28, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Claire Laybourne, 39, by dangerous driving, as well as causing death while unlicensed and uninsured.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The collision occurred in Holystone, North Tyneside, in December of last year. Claire Laybourne was driving home from a Christmas theatre trip when Scott's vehicle struck hers. Emergency services attended the scene and worked to save the mother-of-two, but she sustained serious injuries and tragically died in hospital the following day.
Scott also admitted to causing serious injury to Claire's mother, who was a passenger in the car at the time of the crash. The court heard that just five seconds before the impact, Scott was travelling at 112mph. His car's anti-lock braking system reduced his speed to 90mph, which was still 20mph over the legal limit.
Witness Accounts and Court Proceedings
A witness described the scene, noting that Scott's Skoda was moving through the rain at an "unbelievable speed" and that the crash sounded like a "bomb going off." The trial took place at Newcastle Crown Court, where Scott received his ten-year sentence after pleading guilty to the charges.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of dangerous driving, particularly at excessive speeds. The community has been left mourning the loss of Claire Laybourne, remembered as a "beautiful" mother, while Scott faces a lengthy prison term for his actions.
