Young Motorist Sentenced for Deadly Crash After Filming Reckless Snapchat Videos
Liberty Mitchell, a 21-year-old from Chipping Norton, has been jailed for six years and eight months after causing a fatal collision that killed two people and seriously injured several others. The tragic incident occurred on the B4425 at Riversmeet North near Aldsworth and Burford in Gloucestershire on the afternoon of 2 December 2022.
Details of the Fatal Collision
Mitchell was driving her Mini Cooper when she attempted an overtake, colliding with three other vehicles. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where taxi driver Octavian Codreanu was declared dead at the location. His passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol but later succumbed to her injuries on the same day.
Several other individuals were hospitalised with severe and life-altering injuries, many of whom continue to live with constant reminders of the crash. Mitchell was apprehended at the scene and subsequently charged in connection with the collision.
Social Media Evidence Reveals Dangerous Behavior
Police investigations uncovered that Mitchell had frequently been speeding and using her mobile phone while driving, despite having passed her driving test less than three weeks before the incident. An examination of her social media revealed she had been filming Snapchat videos while driving, displaying a blatant disregard for road safety.
The videos showed Mitchell driving at 100mph on a county road and swerving into the opposite lane towards an oncoming vehicle as friends yelled for her to stop. This evidence played a crucial role in the court proceedings, highlighting her reckless behavior leading up to the fatal crash.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Appearing at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, 13 February, Mitchell received her prison sentence. She had been scheduled to stand trial but instead pleaded guilty to multiple charges during a hearing on 18 December. These included 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.
In mitigation, Mitchell's solicitor argued that her overtaking attempt represented a momentary error of judgement by an inexperienced young driver, who was unable to recognise the risks due to limited driving experience. However, the court emphasised the severity of her actions.
In addition to the prison term, Mitchell was banned from driving for eight years and four months, ordered to complete an extended driving test to regain her licence, and must pay a statutory surcharge.
Impact on Victims and Community
Following the case, Sergeant Williams from the serious collision investigation team commented on the profound impact of the crash. "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," he stated.
He expressed gratitude to the families involved for their patience and bravery during the lengthy legal process, noting that the thoughts of the authorities remain with those who have suffered loss and injuries. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of road safety.
