A1 crash sentence LIVE: Updates as Audi driver in court for causing death of baby and aunt in County Durham tragedy
A driver who caused the death of an eight month old baby and a 30-year-old woman in a collision on the A1 is set to be sentenced.
Darryl Jason Anderson will appear at Durham Crown Court today to be sentenced for two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to the charges last week.
Zackary Blades and his auntie, Karlene Warner, died at the scene of a collision after the car they were travelling in was struck by Anderson’s Audi Q5 on the A1(M) between Chester-le-Street and Durham[1] on May 31, 2024. Zackary’s mum, Shalorna Warner, from Northern Ireland, was driving the Peugeot and sustained minor injuries before being taken to hospital for treatment. Shortly after the tragedy she and his father, Jack Blades, paid tribute to their son. “We are absolutely heartbroken to announce the tragic death of our beautiful son, Zackary,” they said.
The family also paid tribute to Karlene, from Ferryhill, who leaves behind a daughter, Everly, describing her as an ‘amazing mother, partner, daughter, sister, granddaughter, auntie, niece, and friend’.
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