Police officer searched through dead relative’s belongings to find key evidence after horror A1 smash that killed baby boy

PC Dan Cuthbertson and his dog PD Louie have been honoured for the role they played in bringing the driver that killed eight-month-old Zackary Blades and his aunt, Karlene Warner on the A1 to justice

09:30, 24 Sep 2025

A police officer had to search through the scattered belongings of his dead relative in the aftermath of a horror crash that also left a baby boy dead. But PC Dan Cuthbertson and abandoned spaniel turned police dog PD Louie went on to find key evidence that would eventually help bring killer driver Darryl Anderson to justice.[1]

Louie became Durham Constabulary's[2] first ever digital detection dog after he was found dumped on a Gateshead[3] street and then rescued by a dog shelter, in Northumberland, where he was spotted by a sergeant from the force. The three-year-old cocker spaniel was trained to become a digital detection dog, and just months later played a crucial role in the investigating into one of the most harrowing road collisions the region has seen in recent years.

Eight-month-old Zackary Blades and his aunt, Karlene Warner, 30, were killed when drink driver Anderson, smashed into the car they were in on the A1M last year.

Examinations of Anderson's mobile phone showed that the 38-year-old, of Clarell Walk, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, had been making calls and sending texts throughout his journey from Newcastle Airport to the scene of the crash, between Chester-le-Street in County Durham[4].

Digital detection dogs, like PD Louie, are trained to sniff out digital devices that may be hidden or missing, such as laptops, mobile phones and hard drives.

The dog and his handler, PC Cuthbertson, were called upon to find Anderson's phone in the aftermath of the crash. And PC Cuthbertson, who is related to Karlene, had to put his own grief aside to carry out the vital search.

And the duo have now been honoured for their work after winning the Rising Star Award at the Thin Blue Paw Awards, organised by The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity that protects and supports serving and retired police dogs across the UK. Sgt Paul Cooper, who initially spotted Louie at the shelter, nominated the pair.

He said: "Baby Zackary was found by a lorry driver on the opposite side of the carriageway after his seat was flung from the vehicle and Karlene died of chest injuries.

The other driver was arrested and breathalysed at the scene and was more than double the legal limit.

"PC Cuthbertson was on shift the following day, initially unaware of this horrific incident, when he received a personal phone call from his wife to inform him of their deaths - Karlene is a relative and had attended his wedding just a few months before." The police control room was unaware of this personal connection and dispatched PC Cuthbertson, 32, and PD Louie to the scene to search for a missing mobile phone.

Sgt Cooper added: "When the sergeant in charge found out of their personal link he suggested using another dog but despite his upset, PC Cuthbertson was determined to put Louie's training to use and find the phone used by the suspect which was thought to contain vital evidence."

PD Louie and PC Cuthbertson searched a 150m-long stretch of the north and southbound carriageways of the A1M including grass verges and neighbouring fields. They had to search through excessive debris and personal items belonging the victims after officers had searched for the phone but failed to locate it.

PC Cuthbertson said: "No matter what job you do, you always give your all and want to get results but when it's so personal, it means everything. Seeing Karlene's personal belongings scattered along the road was awful.

We have kids the same age and I'd seen her just weeks earlier, it was difficult to believe that she was gone.

"The scene was in tatters. Louie was so focused and worked around all the difficulties the scene posed. He didn't put a paw wrong.

"I noticed a slight change in Louie's behaviour as he worked through an area of thick undergrowth on the verge and then he froze, showing me his passive indication of a find."

PD Louie found the mobile phone and when it was examined, it revealed the driver had been repeatedly making calls and sending text messages throughout his journey from Newcastle International Airport right up until the collision.

He had taken a photo less than half a second before the impact showing his speedometer at 141mph and in the background of the picture, the victim's car could be seen.

Sgt Cooper added: "The phone which was located by PD Louie was key evidence and provided investigating officers with other essential lines of enquiry, without this, the circumstances of their tragic deaths may never have been known." The pair were due to attend the Thin Blue Paw Awards ceremony, held at the Kennel Club in London, today.

Thin Blue Paw Chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: "Louie had only been operational for six months when he played a vital role in this case, and PC Cuthbertson worked through the grief and heartbreak of losing a family member to bring this dangerous individual to justice. The work they did was hugely important to the whole investigation and helped to ensure this driver was brought to justice.

"I hope this brought some peace to the family who are still coming to terms with the loss of Karlene and baby Zackary. We're incredibly humbled and proud to be able to give PC Cuthbertson and PD Louie our Rising Star Award, recognising the amazing work they did during this case and the commitment they've shown during the early months of their careers."

And Durham Constabulary Insp Aaron Leathley, who oversees the dog unit, said: "We're incredibly proud of PC Cuthbertson and PD Louie, who have shown remarkable courage and resilience in the face of an unimaginable personal tragedy.

This award acknowledges the professionalism, strength and determination to go above and beyond the call of duty when faced with trauma of such magnitude.

"Their contribution assisted in securing an outstanding result in difficult circumstances, culminating in the conviction and sentencing of the offender."

PC Cuthbertson, who first worked as a PCSO before becoming a police officer and joined the dog unit four years ago - added: "It's a total mix of emotions to receive this award. The incident was awful and we were devastated to lose someone so special, as well as such a young life.

"But from a personal point of view, I don't think anything will ever beat that find, there was total relief. It'll always be our greatest achievement because it meant so much to us all."

PD Louie lives with PC Cuthbertson and with family in Spennymoor, County Durham.

Anderson was jailed for more than 17 years after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

References

1. ^ killer driver Darryl Anderson to justice. (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Durham Constabulary's (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Gateshead (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
4. ^ County Durham (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)