Darryl Anderson, 38, has been sentenced to 17 years and three months in prison after causing a fatal crash on the A1 motorway in County Durham. Anderson, who was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit and driving at 141mph, struck a Peugeot 308, killing eight-month-old Zackary Blades and his aunt, Karlene Warner, 30.
The crash occurred at approximately 3.15am on 31 May between Chester-le-Street and Durham. Anderson had been driving his Audi Q5 erratically from Newcastle airport after drinking on a flight home from a shortened holiday due to a falling out with his wife. The baby was thrown from his car seat onto the opposite carriageway, while his aunt was ejected from the backseat into the front airbag. Both died instantly. The baby's mother, Shalorna Warner, who was driving the Peugeot, suffered minor injuries.
Anderson admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Police found an empty vodka bottle in the wreckage, and a photo on his phone showed his speedometer at 141mph moments before the collision. He had also been using WhatsApp while driving. Analysis of the Audi's computer revealed he did not brake and that a collision warning light was illuminated.
Judge Joanne Kidd described Anderson's actions as playing “Russian roulette” with other drivers' lives, stating a fatal crash was inevitable. Anderson was also banned from driving for 21-and-a-half years after his release. In victim statements, the family paid tribute to Zackary and Karlene, describing them as deeply loved and irreplaceable.
Anderson, of Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, expressed remorse through his defence lawyer, saying he was “profoundly sorry”. At the police station, he had told officers: “I drove into the back of a car. Sometimes mistakes happen. But I’m not a bad person.”
