Liberty Mitchell, aged 21, has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison following a devastating car crash in Gloucestershire that claimed the lives of two people. The tragedy unfolded less than a month after Mitchell, who had recently turned 18, obtained her full driving licence.
On December 2, 2022, near Aldsworth on the B4425, Mitchell was driving a grey Mini Cooper at 96mph in a 60mph zone. Attempting to overtake three vehicles simultaneously, she lost control and collided with a taxi driven by Octavian Codreanu, killing him and his passenger, schoolteacher Moyra Whelan.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to three others. At Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Rupert Lowe described her actions as reckless and immature, driven by a misguided sense of invulnerability common among young drivers.
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The crash involved several vehicles and resulted in severe injuries such as fractured hips, broken ribs, and deep wounds among survivors. Witnesses and victims alike continue to grapple with the trauma and loss, expressing deep sorrow for Moyra Whelan’s untimely death, particularly as she was en route to a wedding.
Defence counsel Simon Stirling attributed the incident to Mitchell’s inexperience rather than deliberate irresponsibility, emphasizing her limited driving history of less than three weeks before the crash.
Sergeant Williams of the Serious Collision Investigation Team expressed relief that Mitchell admitted her guilt and highlighted the profound impact the collision has had on victims, families, and witnesses. The court ruling mandates that Mitchell serve half of her sentence before becoming eligible for release on licence.
This harrowing event underscores the grave consequences of dangerous driving, especially for inexperienced motorists, and serves as a somber reminder of the importance of responsible road behaviour.