Tragedy on the A165: A Couple Lost and a Child Orphaned
A young couple was killed, and their two-year-old child was left orphaned following a devastating head-on collision in Bridlington. The driver responsible, Laila Barnard-Wigley, 27, was reportedly in a hurry to get to a beauty salon appointment at the time of the crash.
A Fatal Journey and a Frantic Rush
The incident occurred on May 7, 2021, on the A165 Scarborough Road in Bridlington. Barnard-Wigley, driving a black Mercedes Benz southbound from the Scarborough direction, veered across the road and collided with a red Peugeot 208 travelling in the opposite direction.
Inside the Peugeot were Dean Yarrow, 33, who was driving, his girlfriend Faye Wardle, 32, in the front passenger seat, and a two-year-old boy. The force of the impact sent their car into a nearby field. Tragically, both Mr Yarrow and Miss Wardle died at the scene.
The young boy was rushed to hospital with serious injuries but, in what was described as a miracle, he survived. The court heard that the collision was a direct result of Barnard-Wigley's actions. She had attempted to overtake another vehicle five or six times just minutes before the fatal manoeuvre.
It was revealed that she was running late for a 3:30 pm appointment at a Bridlington beauty salon, where she intended to sell some Estée Lauder makeup products to the owner. Messages exchanged around midday that day discussed foundations and perfumes, confirming her purpose for the journey.
A Lengthy Legal Process Reaches a Conclusion
After a complex legal process, Barnard-Wigley, of Thoresby Avenue, Bridlington, finally pleaded guilty to two counts of death by careless driving on Tuesday, November 25. This followed a trial in 2023 where a jury at Hull Crown Court could not reach a verdict on the more serious original charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
The prosecution had argued that her speed was inappropriate for the weather conditions, with the crash apparently involving aquaplaning. The jury was directed to return not guilty verdicts on the dangerous driving charges due to insufficient evidence. Following legal discussions, Barnard-Wigley changed her plea to guilty on the lesser charges just before a planned retrial.
Sentencing has been adjourned until January, and Barnard-Wigley has been granted unconditional bail until then. The defence has requested a pre-sentence report, and the court has confirmed that all sentencing options, including a prison term, will be considered.
Sergeant Rob Mazingham of the Humberside Police serious collisions unit stated: 'This was a truly tragic incident and it devastated families, who continue to grieve and attempt to navigate a life without their loved ones.' He emphasised that such collisions are almost always preventable and that the driver must live with the consequences for life.
