Liberty Mitchell, 21, has been jailed for causing a fatal crash that killed taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and passenger Moyra Whelan
A 21-year-old woman has been jailed after killing two people in a car crash just weeks after passing her driving test.
Liberty Mitchell, who had recently turned 18 at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and causing the deaths of taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, Moyra Whelan. Mitchell, from Chipping Norton, was driving at 96mph in a 60mph zone just seconds before hitting Mr Codreanu’s taxi in December 2022 on the B4425 near Aldsworth, Gloucestershire.
At Gloucester Crown Court today, Judge Rupert Lowe sentenced Mitchell, who wept openly in the dock, to six years and eight months in jail. The collision involved a grey Mini Cooper, black Audi A3, grey Polestar 2 and black Seat Leon, and occurred at around 12.45pm on December 2, 2022, Gloucestershire Police said.
Mitchell, who was self-employed as a cleaner at the time, was travelling between holiday cottages in the area for work, the court heard. Driving the Mini Cooper at 96mph, she attempted to overtake three vehicles at once before aborting the manoeuvre and colliding with the taxi, Gloucestershire Live reports.
Mr Codreanu and Ms Whelan, a schoolteacher on her way to a wedding, died at the scene. Mitchell was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and two counts of causing death while driving uninsured, as her insurance did not cover use of the vehicle for work. She pleaded guilty to all charges.
The court heard that other victims of the crash sustained injuries including a fractured hip, broken ribs, severe abdominal wounds and shattered bones protruding through the skin.
Nicola Cooper, one of the passengers in the taxi, said: “The crash itself was traumatic, the impact felt endless. I live with survivor’s guilt and the trauma of losing one of my closest friends, Moyra, who was sitting just inches from me. I lie awake at night thinking about the ‘what ifs’.”
Katy-Louise Whelan, Moyra’s younger sister, said: “She had so much left that she wanted to experience… but the opportunity was stolen from her and we are devastated. I’m still absolutely incredulous that she is not with us any more. It’s like the light of the world is dimmed and we will never be able to turn it back on again.
“One aspect that haunts me is that my sister died violently… I’m truly devastated that my beautiful, innocent sister was subjected to that.”
Simon Stirling, defending, said Mitchell’s actions were a result of “inexperience rather than irresponsibility”. He said she had only recently passed her driving test and would not have fully understood the risk of her manoeuvre.
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.”
Mitchell was sentenced to six years and eight months in jail and must serve half of her sentence in custody before being eligible for release on licence.
Sergeant Williams of 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, schoolteacher Moyra Whelan, as well as seriously injuring three others.
“Friday, December 2 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.”
