A speeding drink-driver smashed into a family car on the A1(M) and caused the death of a newly-wed woman.
Kyle Schofield had been out drinking in Durham when he took the fatal decision to take his VW Golf out for a spin when he returned home. The 24-year-old, who was twice the drink-drive limit, was seen driving at speed along the A1(M) in the early hours of May 22 this year before he smashed into the back of a Ford Kuga containing four family members.
Catherine Hamilton, who was a backseat passenger in the Ford, sustained catastrophic injuries and tragically died at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary on June 18. The 27-year-old, who suffered brain injury and a broken pelvis among other serious injuries, had only been married that April.
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Schofield then ran away from the scene as the four family members remained injured and trapped in their vehicle. They were eventually cut out of their vehicle, which had been "destroyed". Schofield was arrested over an hour later in a "dishevelled state" as he made his way on foot back to his family home in Sherburn.
Schofield, of Reed Close, Coxhoe, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday to be sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. He had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said the collision happened near Belmont on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) between J61 and J62 at around 1.20am on May 22. Catherine, who had been married that April, and her family had been travelling from Kent in a Ford Kuga when Schofield smashed into the back of them, resulting in "tragic injuries". Mr Sabiston said Catherine sustained brain injury, liver and spleen lacerations and pelvic fractures. Catherine's mum, Sharon Roxborough, who was also a passenger, sustained a cracked vertebrae and other serious injuries.
Mr Sabiston said that another motorist who witnessed the crash estimated Schofield was driving at around "90mph" before hitting the Ford Kuga and told his passenger "look at the speed of that". Afterwards, Schofield ran off from the scene, and officer's went to his sister's home in an attempt to track him down.
Mr Sabiston said: "Police spoke to the defendant's sister who confirmed he had asked her for a lift. He was dropped off in Durham to meet friends." The Ford Kuga, which was being driven by another family member, "flipped over" and trapped those inside as Schofield's Golf remained on the hard shoulder.
The court heard that after drinking with friends, Schofield returned home and then decided to get in his car and drive off. Mr Sabiston added: "The defendant was found in Sherburn by police and he said he had been the passenger in a car. He was found in an intoxicated and dishevelled state with scratches and muddy clothing.
"The defendant confirmed his identification and said he had been thrown from a vehicle but didn't know who was driving but said it was not him and denied being involved in the incident. He sat in the rear of the police vehicle saying he was sober, it was the police's view he was clearly not sober." The court was told that Schofield had previous convictions, but none that were relevant.
In a victim impact statement, Catherine's husband, Callum, said his wife's death had had a "huge impact emotionally and mentally" after being together 10 years. He said the happy couple had started married life and that had now been "taken from me". He said he was "devastated and heartbroken", adding: "I don't know how I'm going to get through life without her."
Christopher Knox, defending, said Schofield had been left "absolutely distraught" by Catherine's death and said he was "clearly in drink" when he lied to police. He said he pleaded guilty to the charges at an early opportunity and said he had written a heartfelt letter to Catherine's family.
He said: "He is very, very genuinely remorseful and accepts that, he does not seek forgiveness." Mr Knox added that it was not a "calculated attempt to avoid detection" when he ran from the scene and said he also suffered "confusion" at the time.
Sentencing Schofield, Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said Catherine had "her whole life ahead of her" and said he was driving drunk and in an "absurdly dangerous fashion at speed". He said Schofield took the "cowardly" decision to run off from the scene, despite knowing injury will have been caused. Schofield was jailed for five years and banned from driving for six years. He must also do an extended re-test if he wants his licence back.
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