'Dangerous drink-driver' who killed woman near Hitchin jailed
A "dangerous drink-driver" who killed a woman and seriously injured another has been jailed for nine years and three months.Hertfordshire Police said Razvan Balasoiu, 26, was under the influence of alcohol when his BMW ploughed into a Toyota Corolla on the A602 between Stevenage and Hitchin.The Toyota's driver, a woman in her 50s, died at the scene, while a woman in a third car was seriously injured.Balasoiu, from London, previously pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The incident happened "in wet conditions" on 12 November 2023 at about 18:45 GMT.Police said Balasoiu failed to notice the road changing from a dual carriageway into a single-lane road and struck a silver Toyota Corolla travelling in the same direction.The force with which his vehicle, a black BMW 316i, struck the Corolla, caused it to spin out of control onto the opposite carriageway, where it hit a Hyundai IX35.
The Hyundai's driver, a woman in her 60s, spent several months in hospital and police said she was "still recovering from the horrific life-changing injuries".Balasoiu was arrested at the scene and failed to provide a breath test at the roadside, only agreeing to a blood test hours after the collision, police said.Det Con Felicity Walker said it was "a tragic case"."As a direct result of Balasoiu's driving, which was at speed, in wet conditions, under the influence of alcohol, three families have been affected."Drink drive and speeding are two of the fatal four, and we will never tolerate such reckless behaviour on our roads."Balasoiu was sentenced on Thursday. He will also be banned from driving for five years once he is released from prison.
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