A 27-year-old woman from East Yorkshire, Laila Barnard-Wigley, has been sentenced for her involvement in a tragic car crash that resulted in the deaths of a couple. The incident occurred on May 7, 2021, when Barnard-Wigley was driving her Mercedes at high speed in wet conditions following heavy rain in Bridlington. This led to a collision that claimed the lives of Dean Yarrow, 33, and Faye Wardle, 32.
Despite pleading guilty to causing the deaths of the couple through careless driving, Barnard-Wigley avoided jail time and instead received a suspended sentence and a five-year driving ban. Initially facing charges of dangerous driving, she changed her plea after a retrial was set due to a previous jury’s failure to reach a verdict.
The court heard that the fatal accident occurred on the A165 in Bridlington, where Barnard-Wigley’s car collided with a vehicle driven by Mr. Yarrow, with Ms. Wardle as the front passenger. The collision, described as a “head-on” crash, was attributed to Barnard-Wigley’s excessive speed in adverse weather conditions, causing her vehicle to aquaplane into the oncoming car.
It was revealed that Barnard-Wigley was rushing to a beauty salon in Bridlington to sell beauty products before closing time at 3:30 pm. Her haste led her to overtake vehicles in wet conditions with standing water on the road, ultimately resulting in the tragic collision. Despite sustaining serious injuries herself, Barnard-Wigley survived and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The devastating impact of the crash was highlighted by the victims’ families, expressing profound grief and loss. The court acknowledged the tragic consequences of Barnard-Wigley’s actions, attributing the incident to a momentary lapse in judgment rather than deliberate misconduct. Her remorse, lack of prior convictions, and positive contributions to her community were considered in the sentencing, which included a suspended prison term, community service, a curfew, and a driving ban.
In a heartfelt statement, the victims’ families described the deep emotional toll the accident had taken on their lives, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss of their loved ones. Despite the legal proceedings, the ultimate focus remained on the tragic loss experienced by the families and the community.