Fishburn man jailed for horrific triple fatal crash in Kent

Carl Simpson, 36, of Glebe Close, Fishburn, was two-and-a-half times over the legal drink driving limit when he crashed at about 125mph into an oncoming car, in what was described by witnesses as “like an atomic bomb going off”.

The collision on Romney Road, in Kent, claimed the lives of two of Simpson's co-workers in his BMW M135i and a much-loved grandmother in a black Dacia Duster, on April 18, 2021.

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.

Canterbury Crown Court was told the day Simpson 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.

All three victims died at the scene and Simpson, who was also injured was arrested before being taken to hospital for treatment.

Simpson, who pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of three people by dangerous driving at a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court, was also banned from driving for five years.

Passing sentence Judge Simon James, the recorder of Canterbury said. “Your reckless, aggressive and quite deliberate dangerous driving caused the death of three people.

“There is in reality no sentence that I can pass which will go anywhere close to adequately reflecting the profound, permanent and lifelong anguish and heartache and understandable rage you have caused so many to experience.”

He added: “Perhaps the only slight mercy is that it appears all died almost instantaneously from the catastrophic injuries on impact, so did not suffer further by being engulfed by flames from the inferno that immediately followed the collision.”

He added Mrs Haywood who was driving within the speed limit from the opposite direction at the time of the crash was “confronted with a vehicle travelling towards her at 124mph hour – more akin to the speed of a Formula One racing car”.

He said: “The impact on those who knew and loved each of them is almost impossible to put into words.

“Your actions have left Angela Phelan a widow at 44.

“She has eloquently described how she and her children's lives will never be the same having lost her soulmate husband and her children's loving father.

“Her sisters and daughters have tearfully recounted to the court the screams of the anguish of his family when they were told he had died."

The court was told, following an investigation by Kent Police's 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.

Tributes From Georgina Fletcher (girlfriend of Jack Ryle-Thompsett)

Jack Ryle-Thompsett and Georgina Fletcher 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.

From Sindy Swift (mother of Jack Ryle-Thompsett)

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 aches 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 my and my family’s hearts.

From Rachael Stephens (daughter of Sharon Haywood)

"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 and dad's 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."

From Angela Phelan (wife of Michael Phelan)

"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.

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