Liberty Mitchell, a 21-year-old driver from Chipping Norton, was sentenced after causing a tragic multi-vehicle collision in Gloucestershire that resulted in the deaths of Octavian Codreanu and Moyra Whelan. The crash occurred on December 2, 2022, just weeks after Mitchell had passed her driving test.
Mitchell, who was recently 18 at the time, attempted to overtake dangerously on the wrong side of the B4425 near Riversmeet North. Four cars were involved, including Mitchell’s Mini Cooper, an Audi A3, a Polestar 2, and a Seat Leon taxi. Taxi driver Octavian Codreanu died instantly at the scene, and school teacher Moyra Whelan later succumbed to her injuries at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. Several others were seriously injured in the crash, facing a lifetime of physical and emotional trauma.
Evidence from Mitchell’s phone revealed that she frequently filmed herself while driving at reckless speeds and swerving into oncoming traffic. These videos were shared on Snapchat, highlighting her dangerous behaviour shortly after gaining her licence. One clip showed her reaching speeds of 100 mph on a country road; another showed her veering into another lane just as a car approached, as her passengers pleaded for her to stop.
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Mitchell pleaded guilty to multiple charges including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving while uninsured. On February 13, 2026, she was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison, banned from driving for over eight years, required to pass an extended driving test, and fined a statutory surcharge.
The impact on victims and their families has been profound. Nicola Cooper, seriously injured in the crash, lost her best friend Moyra that day. In a heartfelt statement, she described the lasting psychological toll of trauma, survivor’s guilt, and grief. Moyra’s sister, Katy-Louise, shared touching memories of her vibrant and loving sibling whose life was cruelly cut short, describing the enduring pain felt by the family.
Lynda Guest, another survivor, detailed her severe physical injuries and the long recovery ahead, including emergency surgeries and ongoing psychological scars. Simon, another victim, spoke about how the collision forever changed his life, taking away his ability to run and forcing him to confront chronic pain and challenges in daily living.
This tragic collision serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless, distracted, and dangerous driving—particularly among new drivers. Liberty Mitchell’s actions not only took innocent lives but shattered families and altered the futures of multiple survivors.