Moyra Whelan, a beloved teacher, lost her life in a tragic accident caused by a speeding driver just three weeks after she passed her driving test. The driver, Liberty Mitchell, was driving at speeds up to 100mph on the wrong side of the road when the fatal crash occurred. Alongside Moyra, Cirencester taxi driver Octavian Codreanu also died in the collision.
At just 18 years old at the time, Liberty Mitchell had been filming herself speeding and swerving dangerously in the days following her passing of the driving test. Her reckless behavior culminated in the tragic crash on the B4425 near Aldsworth, Gloucestershire. Moyra, aged 35, was on her way to a friend’s wedding when the accident happened.
Moyra’s brother, Pauric, has publicly criticized the six-year-and-eight-month prison sentence handed to Mitchell, who is expected to serve little more than three years. He has joined calls to increase sentencing severity and push for lifelong driving bans for killers and those who cause serious injury through dangerous driving.
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“As a family, we want to see justice properly served and laws changed to prevent this happening again, especially among young drivers,” said Pauric. “Liberty Mitchell has shown no remorse for what she did.”
The court was presented with disturbing footage showing Mitchell laughing and behaving irresponsibly behind the wheel, even filming at the crash scene shortly after the incident.
Moyra’s sister, Katy-Louise, described her as “my favourite person in the world,” highlighting the immense void left by her death. The family continues to campaign for a review of Mitchell’s sentence and urges the Attorney General to take action on sentencing reforms that protect the public and hold reckless drivers accountable.
Moyra was an inspiring individual with a vibrant personality. A dedicated history teacher and a cherished friend, she brought joy and laughter to those around her. Katy-Louise shared heartfelt memories of her sister’s kindness, humor, and zest for life.
The family’s grief remains profound nearly three years on. They stress that Moyra’s life was stolen by someone’s selfish disregard for human life. Now, they seek justice not only for Moyra and Octavian but to safeguard future lives from such reckless behavior on the roads.