Leanne McBeth, 35, of Wittys Paddock, Seaton, near Hornsea, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report the incident, and having no insurance on October 4 last year. The incident occurred on Seaton Road, Hornsea, at around 8pm, where roadworks had closed one lane and temporary traffic lights were in operation.
Crash Sequence and Immediate Aftermath
McBeth was driving a Vauxhall Corsa when she struck the rear of an Audi A1 waiting at red lights, causing it to lurch into the vehicle ahead. The Audi was driven by a man with his daughter in the front passenger seat. After the collision, both drivers exchanged brief details and agreed to meet in Hornsea. However, McBeth then returned to her car, drove through the red light, and headed towards an oncoming Range Rover.
The Range Rover, carrying a man, his nephew, and his nephew's friend, had moved forward as the lights turned green. The driver tried to edge into a coned-off area to avoid a collision but was unable to prevent McBeth's car from striking the side of his vehicle. The airbags deployed, and a head-on crash was only avoided due to the driver's evasive action.
Injuries and Damage
The Range Rover driver was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary with bruising to his face, arm, and body. The damage to his vehicle amounted to £6,000, and it was removed by a recovery truck. He later stated, "This incident has changed the way I drive and the way I feel about driving."
Prosecutor Poppy Walker told Hull Crown Court that McBeth "deliberately ignored the rules of the road" and had "a disregard of the dangers to others." McBeth described her own driving as "cr*p" during a police interview.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
McBeth had previous convictions for criminal damage in 2010 and being drunk and disorderly in 2011. Mitigating, Hannah Turner said McBeth had made full admissions in her police interview and handed herself in the day after the incident. Turner added, "She is deeply remorseful. There does seem to be an element of her struggling to recall the details."
Recorder Geraldine Kelly KC said, "You can't have missed that red light. It must have been obvious that you were driving dangerously." She noted that the occupants of the second vehicle had their lives placed at risk, and the driver suffered considerable pain. "It must have been terrifying," Recorder Kelly remarked. "You did not have the decency to stop, speak, apologise even, and make sure everybody in that vehicle was safe."
Recorder Kelly revealed suspicions that McBeth's failure to stop was linked to drink or drugs. McBeth received a 14-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation, and a two-year driving disqualification. She must pass an extended retest before driving legally again.
