Drunk driver jailed for killing Durham University student after downing eight to 10 pints

Liam Bowes abandoned the car after hitting the 22-year-old law student A man who killed a Durham University law student after a night out has been jailed for dangerous driving. Abigail Eggleston, 22, was killed in a "hit and run" while crossing the A167 at Neville's Cross in Durham in the early hours of October 26th.

Liam Bowes, 37, was speeding through the streets of Durham before running a red light and smashing into Abigail, leaving her lying in the road while he carried on driving. Abigail sustained serious injuries, with the medical cause of her death ruled as blunt force head trauma. CCTV footage reveals the driver had consumed [1] between "eight and 10 pints" at a 50th birthday party, before crashing into Abigail on his way home.

He was driving between 10 and 20mph above speed limits, and travelled 14 miles in 17 minutes. Bowes then drove home, before abandoning [2] the car and setting its interior alight to get rid of forensic evidence. He later hid out in a carvan.

He has been jailed for 12 years, and is banned from driving for 18 years, subject to an extended re-test if he wants to re-gain his licence. Christopher Morrison, defending, read out a letter from Bowes at Teesside Crown Court, saying he took "full responsibility for the accident". The judge said [3] Abigail was "an all-rounder, with talents as wide ranging as martial arts, singing, and cookery.

She was destined to do well in her studies and had a promising and fulfilling law career ahead of her. "She was full of life. The daughter every parent would want and a sister every sibling would be fortunate to have.

Sadly, all that was taken away."

If you have been affected by any of the topics raised in this article, Durham students can contact Durham Nightline [4] between 9am and 7am Monday and Tuesday, and Friday till Sunday during term time.

You can contact the Samaritans [5] at any time by calling 116 123.

You can contact Shout [6], a 24/7 text messaging service, by texting the word "Shout" to 85258.

If your life is at imminent risk, call 999 for immediate help.

Featured image via Durham Constabulary

References

^ consumed (www.durham.police.uk)
^ abandoning (www.bbc.co.uk)
^ said (www.thesun.co.uk)
^ contact Durham Nightline (durhamnightline.com)
^ contact the Samaritans (www.samaritans.org)
^ contact Shout (giveusashout.org)