Teen driver filmed herself doing 100mph on Snapchat earlier than killing 2 individuals in crash
Liberty Mitchell filmed herself driving recklessly just weeks after passing her test before causing a horror car crash that killed a taxi driver and his passenger
She had only just passed her test
A new driver who caused a fatal crash had previously recorded herself speeding and swerving for Snapchat. Liberty Mitchell was 18 when she crashed her Mini Cooper into three other vehicles whilst attempting an overtake, the court was told.
Emergency services arrived at the scene where taxi driver, Octavian Codreanu was declared dead. His passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for treatment but tragically succumbed to her injuries later that day.
Several others were rushed to hospital for treatment, with many now living with the daily aftermath of the collision due to severe and life-altering injuries. Mitchell was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged.
Police investigations later revealed that Mitchell had frequently been speeding and driving whilst using her mobile phone, despite having passed her driving test less than three weeks prior to the incident.
An examination of Mitchell’s social media discovered that she had been filming Snapchat videos whilst driving. The videos demonstrate Mitchell’s disregard for safe driving, with one displaying her driving at 100mph on a county road and another showing her swerving onto the opposite side of the road towards an oncoming vehicle as friends yelled for her to stop.
Mitchell, from Chipping Norton, had attempted the overtake on the B4425 at Riversmeet North near Aldsworth and Burford just over the border in Gloucestershire in the afternoon of December 2, 2022.
In mitigation, Mitchell’s barrister told the court her overtaking manoeuvre on the day was a momentary lapse of judgement by a young and inexperienced driver.
He continued by saying that Mitchell was unable to recognise the risks and dangers that were involved in the manoeuvre due to her lack of driving experience.
Appearing at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, February 13, Mitchell, now 21, was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment.
She was also banned from driving for eight years and four months, must undertake an extended driving test to regain her licence and was ordered to pay a statutory surcharge.
Mitchell was due to stand trial, but instead pleaded guilty 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 whilst uninsured during a hearing on December 18.
Judge Lowe said: “At the time of this collision, you had held a full driving licence for less than three weeks. You were, at the time, a reckless and immature young driver suffering from the, frankly common, teenage delusion that you were invulnerable and free to do as you wished. The lives of all the victims and their families have been irrevocably changed.”
Following the case, Sergeant Williams from the serious collision investigation team said: “This case was due to go to trial, and I’m pleased that Mitchell pleaded guilty and has now been sentenced.
“Her actions tragically killed taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, as well as seriously injuring three others.
“Friday 2 December 2022 is a day that will be ingrained in not only the minds of the families who lost a loved one, but also the numerous victims who have suffered horrendous injuries and who are still recovering today, as well as the large number of witnesses who stopped to help and whose lives have also been affected.
“Our thoughts remain with those who have suffered loss and injuries, and I’d like to thank the families of everyone involved in the collision for their patience and bravery during what has been a lengthy process.”
