A newly qualified driver, Liberty Mitchell, aged 21, filmed herself speeding and dangerously swerving into oncoming traffic on Snapchat just weeks after passing her driving test, before causing a fatal crash in Gloucestershire.
Mitchell appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on February 13 after pleading guilty to causing the deaths of Octavian Codreanu, a taxi driver, and his passenger Moyra Whelan, a school teacher. The collision, a multi-vehicle crash near Aldsworth, occurred on December 2, 2022, when Mitchell, who had recently turned 18, attempted an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre on the B4425 road.
The crash involved four vehicles, including Mitchell’s Mini Cooper, an Audi A3, a Polestar 2, and a Seat Leon taxi. Octavian Codreanu was pronounced dead at the scene, while Moyra Whelan was severely injured and later died at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. Several others sustained serious, life-changing injuries.
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Police investigations revealed footage from Mitchell’s phone showing multiple instances of her driving dangerously, including traveling at 100mph on country roads and veering into oncoming lanes. Despite just having passed her test three weeks earlier, she frequently used her phone while driving — actions captured and shared on Snapchat.
Mitchell admitted to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and two counts of causing death by driving while uninsured. She was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for over eight years, and must pass an extended driving test to regain her license.
Victims and their families shared harrowing accounts of the trauma caused by the crash. Nicola Cooper, injured in the accident and a close friend of Moyra Whelan, described the emotional and physical toll, highlighting the lasting mental scars and survivor’s guilt. Lynda Guest, another seriously injured passenger, recounted the severity of her injuries, emergency surgeries, and ongoing psychological impact.
Moyra Whelan’s sister Katy-Louise spoke movingly about their deep loss and the void left by Moyra’s death. She recalled Moyra’s vibrant personality, kindness, and the lasting shock to their family who continue to grieve years later.
The crash has profoundly affected many lives, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the vital importance of road safety and responsibility behind the wheel.