'It's one of the worst fatal crashes that I've had to deal with'
THE policeman in charge of investigating the fatal crash said it was one of the worst he had been involved in.
Inspector Jim Allen, of Derbyshire police, said: "In all the years I've been dealing with fatalities, this is one of the worse cases I've had to deal with, one of the most complicated, one of the most emotionally charged. I can't recall another case where people stretched wide across such an amount of road are held accountable for their actions."
Derby Crown Court heard how the five cars involved in the crash drove from Ashbourne to McDonald's at Markeaton Island in Derby on October 20 last year.
They then set off back to the town in what Avik Mukherjee, prosecuting, described as a "high-speed convoy".
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He said: "It was competitive driving between friends who were encouraging each other to drive in a careless manner even though young and inexperienced."
Leading the convoy was David Edge, 18, followed by Liam Sowter, 19, Andrew Sellers, 18, Joseph Gregson, 19, and Oliver Beresford, 18.
It was on the approach to Kirk Langley that the crash happened.
Mr Mukherjee said: "The Corsa driven by Sellers exited a sweeping, left-hand bend and he was unable to keep control of the car."
The nearside of the car went into the opposite carriageway where it was hit by the car driven by Juliette Greenwood.
She was returning from Alton Towers with her daughters Alice, 12, and Clara, six.
Mr Mukherjee said the police investigation found the Greenwoods' car was travelling at about 50mph while Sellers was believed to have been driving "in the high 70s".
Alice was killed while sleeping on the back seat of the car while her mother was seriously injured. Clara survived.
Andrew and Liam Connell died of multiple injuries at the scene.
Andrew Baker, mitigating for David Edge, said other factors apart from speed must have played a part in the crash.
He said: "No-one will ever know what caused his vehicle to deteriorate as it did.
"Speed was doubtless a contributing factor but it can't have been the sole cause of the accident.
"The road could have been taken at greater speeds and yet the accident would not have occurred."
Yesterday, Sowter, of Mayfield Avenue, Mayfield, and Beresford, of Bellevue Road, Ashbourne, were sent to custody for two years and three months for three counts of causing death by careless driving.
Edge, of Cockayne Avenue, Ashbourne, and Gregson, of Church Lane, Mayfield, who admitted the same charges as well as making a false statement, were locked up for two years and nine months.
Jack Crooks, 18, of Booth Drive, Ashbourne; Georgina Spencer, 21, of Bradley Pastures, Bradley, and 17-year-old Liane Wherry all admitted making a false statement.
Crooks was sent to custody for six months, Spencer for nine months and Wherry was given a six-month detention and training order.
Edge, Gregson, Sowter and Beresford were all disqualified from driving for three years and told they must pass an extended driving test before regaining their licenses.
Judge John Gosling said he hoped each of the defendants felt "deeply remorseful" for their role in the crash.
He said: "Each of you drove in convoy, egging each other on. If only all 17-year-olds able to drive for the first time could be confronted with the facts of this case, what a lesson they would learn."
Alice Greenwood's mother Juliette said: "I'm reassured that justice has been delivered but no sentence will repair the damage that has been done."
The girl's father Ian added: "This is our life sentence."
Comments
by Wee Ron Tooyou, Ashbourne
Monday, September 07 2009, 10:46AM
“Hayley, there are plenty of people out here who know why this happened. To them it was a game. "The Burger Run".”
by Nigel Calladine, Derby
Saturday, September 05 2009, 12:52PM
“Previous comment removed.
So young men drive in a speeding convoy & end up killing someone, & some misguided female from Ashbourne still has the silliness to criticise people on here.
The family in the passat didn't deserve it, and it was caused by your silly friends”
by bob, derby
Saturday, September 05 2009, 12:46PM
“when i first passed my test i worked for shay and he told me to be carefully because cars are not toys i think the test should be harder and for young peaple to see what happens when you drive fast and carelss my heart is with shay and family i dont wish this on anybody and i feel sorry for the peaples family who got locked up but they should not be aloud out again”
by bob, derby
Saturday, September 05 2009, 12:22PM
“i know what has happend is very sad but not all young peaple drive like prats i thick it does not matter what age you are we all can be careless so dont be to hard on just young drivers”
by Ex driver, Derby
Saturday, September 05 2009, 12:17PM
“Hayley, are you trying to say they were "only" speeding this time ? Get real, they would have been speeding frequently to think they could drive at those speeds on that road, this time it backfired and people lost their lives, It is idiots like these who hit my car, I no longer drive, and is it any wonder when there are idiots like these out there. Don't defend them, they are murderers and the car was their weapon, the driver died along with his passenger but the most important victim was a child, an innocent child, so think about her and her parents loss, they have a life sentence, your mates will get out of prison, that family will never have their child back.”
by kathy, derby
Saturday, September 05 2009, 11:11AM
“Oh grow up Hayley-middle aged and older people do NOT drive in convoy racing one another on a single carriageway A road. This attitude is typical of the "wasn't me"and "it wasn't my fault" attitude exhibited by people today. Try meeting those who have to deal with fatal "accidents" caused by the stupidity of young and old drivers thinking that they are a driving god and own the road. try talking to the police officers who have to breatj the dreadful news to some parent that their child or loved one was killed by showing off and recklessness, and the emergency services who have to attend and literally piece things back togather again to try and ascertain what happened. the sentences were far too lenient especially for those who lied to save theirs and their friends' skins.For the record, I do drive I am 37 and I make some silly mistakes. A car is a dangerous weapon.”
by I M Wright, Derby
Saturday, September 05 2009, 9:56AM
“Hayley, I take it from your comment you are friends with the young people sentenced yesterday?
Your views are welcomed and encouraged but please remember those sentenced were found guilty of causing the death of others and trying to cover up the facts to protect their friends.
Those middle aged and old people you talk of have the experience of age and time behind the wheel and if you could take the time in your busy life to stand back and think about the situation you may find yourself in whilst driving, or being driven, you may find that they are not breaking any law or putting others at the risk of death and if in the future you are driving behind someone who, in your opinion is progressing too slow, show a little patience and safe road sense. That will safe lives and wasted years of detention and heartache.
Think of the consequences of your actions.
This was not an accident, it was a lot more serious. An accident is spilling you cup of tea or gravy on the floor.”
by hayley, derbyshire
Saturday, September 05 2009, 9:21AM
“they didnt think there in a game, young middle aged and old cause accidents by speed or by driving 2 slow......it just happened that on this 1 occasion this happened. please dont sit on here giving your comments when really you no nothing about this do u drive?”
by Wee Ron Tooyou, Ashbourne
Saturday, September 05 2009, 9:10AM
“Well, now we know how much a burger costs - 3 lives and 6 jail sentences.”
by Mikey, Derbyshire
Saturday, September 05 2009, 8:47AM
“Banned for three years? They should never be allowed to sit behind the wheel of a car again. I'm sick of these young drivers who drive as if they are in play station game...roads are for grown ups, not silly little boys and girls showing off.”