Coronation Street's Debbie Webster, played by Sue Devaney, is set to appear in court after being charged with three counts of death by dangerous driving and excess alcohol. The charges stem from a horror crash that occurred during the programme's crossover with Emmerdale, known as Corriedale. Debbie was a passenger in a car driven by Carl Webster, who had been drinking heavily, but she claimed she was behind the wheel to protect him.
The crash resulted in the death of vicar Billy Mayhew. When Carl regained consciousness in hospital, doctors revealed an underlying heart condition had caused him to go into shock. Debbie, who has dementia, then falsely stated she was driving, having been placed in the driver's seat while unconscious. She repeated this claim during a police interview, insisting she swapped seats with Carl because he was 'a little merry'.
Detectives were unconvinced, noting Debbie's dementia made her unfit to drive. Kevin Webster, Debbie's brother, grew suspicious when he noticed the bruising from her seatbelt was on the right side of her body, inconsistent with her story. He confronted Carl, accusing him of manipulating Debbie. Carl laughed off the accusation, saying 'I'm still here' when Kevin threatened him.
Debbie later admitted to Kevin that she had told the truth about the crash, but refused to change her story. She has since allowed Carl to move in with her, despite Kevin's warnings that she will go to prison because of him. The court date has been set, and Debbie faces the prospect of a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice.
