County Durham family speak of 'unimaginable grief' one year on from tragic crash
Shalorna Warner was picking up sister Karlene from Newcastle Airport with her eight-month-old baby Zackary Blades in the back when one of Britain's worst drink drivers Darryl Anderson ploughed into them on the A1(M) at 141mph while on his phone, killing the tot and his aunt.
Speaking on the first anniversary of their death (May 31), Lareesa, their sister and auntie, from Ferryhill, said: 'Our family will never be the same. The past year has been horrendous.'
'Karlene and Zackary were so innocent and never deserved this.
Zackary Blades and Karlene Warner (Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
The trio were travelling on the A1(M) south between Durham and Chester-Le-Street in the early hours of May 31, 2024.
Thirty-eight-year-old Anderson smashed into the back of their Peugeot 308 while attempting to take a photo of his speedometer. He was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit and had an empty vodka bottle in his car. He was found to have 95mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath - the legal limit is 35mg.
Zackary, despite being strapped in, was thrown from the vehicle into the opposite carrigeway. His mum Shalorna had to leave her dying sister in the car to search for her son. A lorry driver helped her find Zackary's body about 100 meters away while Anderson stood at the scene not helping, Durham Crown Court heard as Anderson was sentenced.
Darryl Anderson (Image: DURHAM POLICE)
Lareesa recalled the moment she received the devastating news while she was on holiday.
'The day holds a moment in my mind that I can't get rid of. I was away on holiday and remember the phone call. I just couldn't believe it," she said.
'It wasn't until I got back to the UK, and they weren't there that it started to hit me.
'We all just feel so numb to everything. Shalorna doesn't speak much about it, probably because we all can't.'
Anderson, previously of Clarell Walk, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was sentenced to 17 years and three months on two charges of causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Kidd also banned him from driving for a further 21-and-a-half years when he is released.
The family are now calling for lifetime bans on anyone convicted of dangerous driving.
They said: "If we can save one life on the back of Karlene and Zackary's we would be happy."
Karlene Warner, 30 (Image: FAMILY)
Karlene and partner Kieran Hutchinson had discussed trying for another baby after she had secured her dream job as an air hostess.
Lareesa continued: 'She was just my best friend, we did everything together and it is so sad we haven't realised this until she is gone.
'She was so bubbly and would just do anything for anyone- just the best.'
Karlene was working as cabin crew for TUI . The anniversary of her death falls on International Cabin Crew Day.
'They really took the very best. Karlene had always wanted to work as a flight attendant and had recently secured a job with TUI that she was so excited about. She now has her permanent wings.'
Speaking on eight-month-old Zackary, his auntie Lareesa said: 'He was just so innocent and never deserved this. He deserved a chance at life to do amazing things and that was taken from him.
Eight-month-old baby Zackary Blades (Image: FAMILY) 'He was the most perfect little boy and just so cheeky. He made us all belly laugh and was just the happiest.'
Despite their heartbreak, the family say the tragedy has brought them closer together.
In Karlene and Zackary's honour, they've launched a petition calling for lifetime driving bans for those convicted of dangerous driving.
From left to right: Alison, Lareesa, Shalorna and Nigel Warner and Kelly and Freddie Crookes (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) They said: 'Karlene and Zackary will never be given a second chance so why should dangerous drivers. Both of them were just so innocent in all of this and that hurts."
The family have not heard from Darryl Anderson since the incident and believe he likely does not grasp the gravity of the damage he has caused.
Lareesa said: 'We would like him to see how much his actions have affected our family, but I doubt that he would care too much to be honest."
As they mark the anniversary of an unthinkable tragedy, the family are urging drivers to remember that a car is a weapon and one reckless decision can destroy lives forever.
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Lareesa continued: 'You never think it will happen to you but that's a selfish mentality.
'Karlene and Zackary were so innocent and never deserved this.
'People need to think.'
In honour of this day, the family are urging everyone to light a candle at 5pm today in memory of Karlene and Zackary and post a photo to social media.
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