New Driver Sentenced to Six Years for Fatal High-Speed Collision
A newly licensed driver has been imprisoned for six years and eight months after causing a catastrophic crash that claimed two lives and left multiple others with severe injuries. Liberty Mitchell, who was only 18 years old at the time of the incident, had passed her driving test less than three weeks before the fatal accident in December 2022.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The collision occurred on the B4425 near Aldsworth in Gloucestershire when Mitchell, driving a Mini Cooper, attempted to overtake three vehicles simultaneously while traveling at 96mph in a 60mph zone. She aborted the maneuver but collided with a taxi, resulting in the deaths of taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, who was en route to a wedding.
Mitchell, now 21 and from Chipping Norton, was working as a cleaner at the time and was traveling between holiday cottages for work purposes. Her car insurance did not cover business use, leading to additional charges related to driving uninsured.
Court Proceedings and Emotional Impact
During the sentencing at Gloucester Crown Court, Mitchell sobbed openly as she pleaded guilty to all charges, including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and two counts of causing death while uninsured. The court heard harrowing details of the injuries sustained by survivors, which included fractured hips, broken ribs, severe abdominal wounds, and shattered bones protruding through skin.
Victim impact statements highlighted the profound emotional toll. Nicola Cooper, a passenger in the taxi, described the crash as "traumatic" and expressed ongoing survivor's guilt, stating she lies awake at night pondering "what ifs." Katy-Louise Whelan, Moyra Whelan's younger sister, lamented the loss of her "beautiful, innocent sister," saying the world's light has dimmed irreparably.
Legal Arguments and Sentencing
Defense lawyer Simon Stirling argued that Mitchell's actions stemmed from "inexperience rather than irresponsibility," noting her recent test pass and lack of understanding of the risks involved. However, Judge Lowe countered this, describing Mitchell as a "reckless and immature young driver" suffering from a "teenage delusion" of invulnerability.
The judge emphasized that the lives of all victims and their families have been "irrevocably changed" by the collision. Mitchell was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and must serve half of this term in custody before becoming eligible for release on licence.
This case underscores the severe consequences of dangerous driving, particularly among inexperienced motorists, and serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with holding a driving licence.
