County Durham drink driver who crashed car at 126mph killing three people is jailed for 10 years

A speeding drink driver who killed three people when he was more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit has been jailed.

Carl Simpson, from County Durham^[1], got into his car having just consumed several pints of lager and crashed into another car at 126mph on Romney Road, Lydd, in Kent. His two passengers, Jack Ryle-Thompsett, from Lydd, and Michael Phelan, from Hull, died at the scene, along with Sharon Haywood, from Ashford, who was driving the other car.

On Sunday 18 April 2021, Simpson, 36, had been drinking at a pub in Lydd before moving on to another pub in New Romney with Mr Phelan and Mr Ryle-Thompsett. After spending around two hours at this pub all three got into the car, a white BMW driven by Simpson.

Simpson left New Romney and drove along the A259, Lydd Road, before driving along Romney Road where he collided with Mrs Haywood’s Dacia Duster at about 6.20pm, less than eight minutes after consuming his last alcoholic drink and leaving the pub.

All three victims died at the scene and Simpson, who was also injured, was arrested before being taken to hospital for treatment. But Simpson was able to tell one of the officers at the scene that he had been out drinking and had three or four pints of lager.

A blood sample, taken an hour and 20 minutes after the collision produced a reading of 191 milligrams, more than double the 80mg limit. Following an investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, officers were able to piece together the movements of the BMW before the collision.

CCTV footage from a nearby caravan park showed the BMW travelling towards the scene. At this point the average speed of the vehicle was calculated as being 118mph. Specialist data analysis was able to determine that at the point the airbags went off, the BMW was driving at a speed of 126mph.

A number of witnesses told officers they had seen the car being driven at high speeds and made reference to their fears of a collision. One witness described seeing the car veering onto the wrong side of the road and taking a corner at such speed that the wheels left the floor.

Simpson from Glebe Close, County Durham, was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing death without due care while over the prescribed limit. He pleaded guilty to the offences at Canterbury Crown Court last month and was today jailed for 10 years. Simpson will also be disqualified from driving for five years on his release.

Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing Unit at Kent Police said: "This is a very tragic incident where three people have lost their lives through the selfish actions of one person. The consequences of Simpson choosing to have not one but three drinks before driving that day have left families mourning their loved ones.

"Let this be a stark reminder to anyone who chooses to drink and drive. Alcohol limits are there for a reason.

"Road safety is an important part of the force’s Safer Summer initiative but as this incident shows, fatal collision can occur at any time of the year.

"I would urge anyone who intends to go out and drink alcohol, to do so responsibly and make arrangements to get home safely. Those who decide to risk driving whilst impaired are likely to be stopped and arrested. Penalties can include a fine, disqualification and in some cases a prison sentence.

"Our message is simple – there is no excuse for driving under the influence and, with our patrols' continuing diligence, it’s not a question of if you will get caught but when."

Families of the victims pay tribute to their loved ones

The families of the victims who died as a result of Simpson's actions have paid tribute to their loved ones.

Georgina Fletcher - the girlfriend of Jack Ryle-Thompsett - said: "From the girlfriend of Jack, and the mother of his daughter Lylah, our world will never be the same again, but justice has been served for her daddy who was such a loved special person in everyone's lives, and not a single day or hour passes when he isn’t thought about. His legacy will continue in Lylah."

Jack's mum Sindy Swift also paid tribute to her son. She said: "I struggle to put into words how to express my thoughts and feelings about this cruel set of circumstances that took my son Jack. Jack had the kindest soul and biggest heart, Jack was truly valued by me, his brothers, his family and all that knew him.

"He was soon to be a dad but was devastatingly snatched and ripped away before his daughter was even born. A dad his daughter would have loved and cherished forever but will now never get to meet and give big cuddles to.

"Simpson took no care for Jack and despite knowing what he did never showed remorse for driving drunk at 126 miles per hour.

"No matter the sentencing of Simpson he will never suffer the life punishment we all suffer now only having Jack in photos and memories. The mental and physical ache we feel daily will never go, but I am immensely proud of my son Jack and the man he was, he leaves a huge irreparable hole in mine and my family's hearts."

Rachael Stephens - daughter of Sharon Haywood - paid tribute to her mum. She said: "It’s now over two years since the crash which killed my mum, I still can’t believe that she has gone. Although I knew that no sentence Carl Simpson received today would ever change anything or bring her back, I am glad he has been sent to prison and uses that time to consider his selfish actions.

"A speeding, drunk driver has resulted in destroying our family and it’s broken my grandad, mum’s dads heart. Further hurt was caused by Mr Simpson not pleading guilty at the first chance he had and dragging this pain on.

"I am thankful to everyone involved in the extensive investigation that has brought this to a close today, although we live with the pain of Mr Simpson’s actions that day and always will.

Angela Phelan - wife of Michael Phelan - said: "After two long and very hard years we are finally able to let Michael rest, justice has been served, although no sentence will ever be enough for Carl Simpson for taking away our beautiful Michael and the heartache and pain Carl has caused our family.

"We would personally like to thank the investigating officer, PC Darren Chapman and our Family Liaison Officer, PC Lauren Hockless as well as the Serious Collision Unit for all of the hard work that has gone into the investigation and for securing the sentence that has been imposed on Carl today, also the support and empathy they have shown our family.

"Our final thank you we would like to give to all of the emergency personnel who attended the scene of the collision and for all your hard work, we are very grateful."

References

1. ^{^} County Durham (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Newcastle's Central Motorway remains closed after city centre fire causes structural damage to building (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)