Death by dangerous driving charges dropped against woman involved in crash that killed young couple
Three of the five charges against a young woman, originally accused of causing the deaths of two people by dangerous driving after a head-on crash between two cars, have been dropped. Mercedes driver Laila Barnard-Wigley will now only face two charges of causing death by careless driving after the jury was directed to return verdicts of not guilty in relation to the more serious charges. The jury was told that there was now insufficient evidence to convict her of the two charges of causing the deaths of the couple by dangerous driving as well as a third charge involving causing serious injury to a boy.
Barnard-Wigley had veered across the road and crashed into a car that was heading in the opposite direction. She is said to have been “in a hurry” to get to a Bridlington beauty salon and she made five or six attempts to overtake another car a few minutes earlier before finally doing so. She is said to have been running late to get to the salon for her promised time of 3.30pm, Hull Crown Court[1] heard.
Barnard-Wigley, 25, of Thoresby Avenue, Bridlington, denied causing the deaths of Dean Yarrow and Faye Wardle by dangerous driving on May 7, 2021 and causing serious injury to the boy by dangerous driving. Judge John Thackray KC told the jury on Monday that the prosecution had to prove that, in the case of causing death by dangerous driving, the driving by Barnard-Wigley fell far below the required standard and that she was solely responsible for the loss of control that caused her car to go into the incoming carriageway. The prosecution, at that stage, specifically rejected her claim that the car had aquaplaned, said Judge Thackray.
A prosecution expert had originally rejected the suggestion that the loss of control by Barnard-Wigley was as a result of aquaplaning but he had now “very much changed” his mind. He had reconsidered the matter and now agreed that the most likely explanation for the loss of control was aquaplaning. The prosecution expert had told the jury during his evidence that it was now his view that this did “reduce the blameworthiness” and culpability of Barnard-Wigley, said Judge Thackray.
The prosecution could now not prove the charges of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Judge Thackray directed the jury to find Barnard-Wigley not guilty of those three charges.
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We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here[3]. The jury will be asked to consider verdicts on the two alternative charges of causing death by careless driving.
The incident happened just before 3.30pm as Barnard-Wigley drove a black Mercedes Benz car southbound on the A165 at Scarborough Road, Bridlington, north of the junction of Grindale Road crossroads. She was in collision with a red Peugeot 208 car being driven northbound by Mr Yarrow, 33, who had his girlfriend, Miss Wardle, 32, in the front passenger seat. Their car ended up in a field and they died at the scene from their injuries.
A young boy was in the rear of the car and he suffered serious injuries that needed a plaster cast for a time. Barnard-Wigley lost control of her car and it drifted over into the line of traffic coming the other way. There was a “head-on collision” and the prosecution claims that Barnard-Wigley was driving at a speed that was not appropriate for the weather conditions.
She had overtaken another car shortly before the crash. Barnard-Wigley had, earlier that day, exchanged messages with a female friend who worked at a Bridlington beauty salon. Mention was made in the messages – sent at about 12pm – of Estee Lauder, make-up, foundations and perfumes.
Barnard-Wigley was offering to sell beauty product items to another woman who, at the time, was the owner of the salon.
The trial continues.