Liberty Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Chipping Norton, has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison after causing a deadly car crash less than a month following her passing of the driving test. At just 18 years old at the time, Mitchell pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and causing the deaths of taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan.
The tragic collision occurred on December 2, 2022, at approximately 12:45 pm on the B4425 near Aldsworth in Gloucestershire. Mitchell was driving a grey Mini Cooper at 96 mph in a 60 mph zone, attempting to overtake three vehicles simultaneously. She then abruptly aborted the maneuver and crashed into Mr. Codreanu’s taxi. The fatal impact involved four cars: a Mini Cooper, a black Audi A3, a grey Polestar 2, and a black Seat Leon.
At Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Rupert Lowe condemned Mitchell’s reckless actions, emphasizing her “teenage delusion” of invulnerability despite having held a full driver’s license for less than three weeks. The court heard accounts from survivors—including taxi passenger Nicola Cooper—who described the traumatic crash and ongoing survivor’s guilt. Moyra Whelan’s sister expressed deep grief over the violent loss of her beloved sibling, who was on her way to attend a wedding.
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Mitchell, self-employed as a cleaner and driving between holiday cottages at the time, faced multiple charges: two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and two counts related to driving uninsured for work purposes. She admitted guilt on all counts.
The collision resulted in severe injuries to others, including fractured hips, broken ribs, and severe abdominal wounds. The Serious Collision Investigation Team highlighted the lasting impact on all affected—including victims, their families, and witnesses who came to help.
Mitchell must serve half of her sentence in custody before being eligible for release on license. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that reckless and inexperienced driving can have on everyone involved.