The New Year's Eve crash that killed convicted murderer Stephen Bonallie is still being probed by police almost six months on.
Bonallie was just 17 years old when he battered vulnerable Brent Martin to death, along with William Hughes and Marcus Miller. All three were jailed for life for the senseless slaying, in 2007, during which Brent, 23, begged for his life.
But Bonallie was released from jail last year after serving his minimum prison term. And during the early hours of New Year's Eve, the 32-year-old died after the car he was in collided with a tree, on the A167 near Durham city centre.
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Another man in his 30s, who was also in the car, was seriously injured and spent weeks fighting for life in hospital. However, Durham Constabulary has confirmed he has now been discharged, and the cause of the crash is still being investigated by the force's collision investigation unit.
A spokeswoman said: " Enquiries are continuing."
Brent's murder, on Sunderland's Town End Farm estate, shocked the nation as it was revealed that the victim, who had learning disabilities, sobbed and begged his killers to be his friend during the horrific attack. But the pitiless onslaught continued despite Brent's pleas, and he was kicked and stamped on before being left to die in a pool of blood with his pants around his ankles.
Hughes, then 21, and Marcus Miller, then 16, admitted murder and Bonallie was found guilty after a trial. All three were jailed for life in 2008, but Bonallie, formerly of Birtley Avenue, Sunderland, had his minimum term of 18 years cut to 15 years by appeal judges later that year.
Then in 2016 it was reduced again to 14 years after a second review by a High Court judge in London. Police said Bonallie was travelling in a silver Audi A6 estate, when the car collided with a tree at just before 2am, on December 31.
He was pronounced dead at hospital. After hearing of the killer's death, Brent's twin sister Danielle Flynn expressed her mixed emotions in a public post on Durham Constabulary's Facebook page.
She also bravely sent condolences to Bonallie's family.
Danielle wrote: "This is Stephen Bonallie one of the three who murdered my twin brother. This year when he was released I spent it upset, angry he was getting to start his life again when he was a big part in my brother losing his.
"However I found out yesterday morning in disbelief that he died in a car accident. I spent the day with mixed emotions; happy, sad, gutted etc.
"God works in mysterious ways and I think it comes to us all. I guess it's because I'm human I know what it feels like to lose a brother and my mother knows what it feels like to lose a son so condolences to his family."
Bonallie’s family released a statement via police. They said: “It is with deepest regret that we announce the death of our Stephen James Bonallie, 32 years, who was involved in a tragic road traffic collision on the A167, Durham, on the morning of Saturday, December 31, 2022.
“He was a much-loved son, brother, boyfriend, nephew, uncle, brother-in-law and cousin and will be sadly missed. We wish to thank everyone for their support and ask to be left so that we can grieve in peace.”
