Durham detective recognised in New Year’s honours after leading investigation into devastating A1 crash

A campaigning detective that led an investigation into a devastating crash that tragically claimed the lives of three people has been recognised in the New Year Honour’s list. Detective Constable Natalie Horner, of Durham Constabulary’s Roads and Armed Policing unit, will be honoured with the King’s Police Medal. The dedicated officer led the investigation into a devastating crash on the A1(M) at Bowburn in County Durham[1] in July 2021.

Paul Mullen, 51, from Washington[2], and couple Elaine Sullivan, 59, and David Daglish, 57, from Seaham[3], were killed when lorry driver Ion Nicu Onut ploughed into a queue of traffic while using his mobile phone at the wheel. Onut, 41, of Woodstock Avenue, Galashiels, Scottish Borders, was jailed for eight years and 10 months at Durham Crown Court in January 2022[4]. He was also banned from driving for 14 years and five months.

DC Horner secured a court conviction for Onut and has relentlessly campaigned to bring positive change from the tragedy. The 43-year-old has also overseen the production of a video to persuade drivers to put down their mobile phones while behind the wheel.

Ion Onut (inset) and police at the scene on the A1(M)

The campaign is partially responsible for a significant decrease in the number of serious and fatal crashes across County Durham and Darlington in the last year. It attracted millions of viewers and is now used in driver training across the world.

It is the latest in a string of successful campaigns she has led over the last eight years to make County Durham and Darlington’s roads safer, using emotive real-life footage to get the message across to drivers. She said: “The roads claim lives daily. It’s about more than convicting offenders; it’s about making our roads safer nationally.

I want everyone in the UK to feel safe.” DC Horner joined the police cadets at the age of 16. She joined the police in 2001, moving from a response officer to CID and then roads policing.

Her unwavering dedication to support victims never faltered and the tragic loss of a close friend and colleague, PC Jonathan Green, in a road collision fuelled her commitment to enhancing support for affected families. She said: “The loss was devastating. It made me realise the vital role we play in supporting those affected by road incidents.

It’s a responsibility we cannot overlook.” In 2015, DC Horner joined Durham’s newly-formed collision investigation unit as a detective. She has since worked with dozens of families who have seen a loved one killed or seriously injured on the roads.

As well as investigating the case and caring for the family in their worst hours, DC Horner has made it her mission to reduce road deaths by educating drivers about the consequences of their behaviour. DC Horner was nominated for the New Year’s honour for her positive approach, her drive to help others and her total dedication to the community. She said: “I’m overwhelmed and immensely grateful to receive this honour.

It’s a proud and emotional moment I’ll never forget in my career.” Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, of Durham Constabulary, said: “This is a thoroughly well-deserved honour for Detective Constable Horner. I am immensely proud of the amazing work that Nat and her colleagues have done to make people safer on our roads and I have no doubt their forward-thinking campaigns have helped to save lives.

“She exemplifies the very best of Durham Constabulary: a willingness to put victims first and a genuine desire to make a real difference to real people.”

References

1. ^ County Durham (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Washington (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Seaham (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
4. ^ Durham Crown Court in January 2022 (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)