New Driver Sentenced to Over Six Years for Fatal Speeding Collision
A young driver who killed two people in a high-speed crash just weeks after passing her driving test has been jailed for more than six years. Liberty Mitchell, 21, wept openly in the dock as she was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fatal collision occurred in December 2022 on the B4425 near Aldsworth, Gloucestershire, at approximately 12.45pm. Mitchell was behind the wheel of a grey Mini Cooper, travelling at 96mph in a 60mph zone. She attempted to overtake three vehicles simultaneously before aborting the manoeuvre and striking a taxi.
The crash resulted in the deaths of taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, who was on her way to a wedding. The collision also involved a black Audi A3, a grey Polestar 2, and a black Seat Leon, causing serious injuries to others.
Severe Injuries and Emotional Impact
Injuries sustained by survivors included a fractured hip, broken ribs, severe abdominal wounds, and shattered bones protruding through the skin. Nicola Cooper, a passenger in the taxi, described the trauma of the crash and her survivor's guilt, stating she lies awake at night thinking about the 'what ifs'.
Moyra Whelan's younger sister, Katy-Louise Whelan, expressed devastation over her sister's violent death, saying, "It's like the light of the world is dimmed and we will never be able to turn it back on again."
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Mitchell, of Chipping Norton, 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. Her car insurance did not cover use of the vehicle for work purposes, as she was travelling between holiday cottages for her self-employed cleaning job at the time of the crash.
Defence lawyer Simon Stirling argued that Mitchell's actions stemmed from inexperience rather than irresponsibility, noting she was only 18 at the time and had held a full driving licence for less than three weeks. However, Judge Rupert Lowe described her as a reckless and immature young driver suffering from a teenage delusion of invulnerability.
Mitchell was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and must serve half of her sentence before being eligible for release on licence. Judge Lowe emphasised that the lives of all victims and their families have been irrevocably changed by the tragedy.
