Latest news with #drunkDriving
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
County Durham family speak of 'unimaginable grief' one year on from tragic crash
A heartbroken County Durham family have told how their lives will never be the same again, exactly a year since a drunk driver killed an auntie and baby in a horror 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. READ MORE: Fight to save County Durham village pub sees £70k pledged in 'astounding' first week Developer wants to build 600 new homes in fresh bid for estate in sprawling town RAF warns of 'increased activity' in North East this week as advice issued 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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Roosevelt High community mourns senior killed by alleged drunk driver in ‘devastating' crash
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A community is in mourning after an alleged drunk driver crashed into a car of three high schoolers, one of whom died at the scene. This happened along State Road 14 near Camas, Washington, on Monday night. The student who was killed was 18-year-old Mico O'Brien, a senior at Portland's Roosevelt High School, who died instantly in the crash. His friends were seriously hurt. Budget crunch may impact jobs for homeless program Just days before graduation, a vigil was held at the school's football field on Wednesday night. It was supposed to be the senior sunset night, where high school seniors gathered together one last time. Instead, hundreds of people also said goodbye forever to one of their friends, lighting a candle and sharing their memories. 'Mico, it will never be the same without you,' one speaker at the vigil said. Roosevelt High School Principal KD Parman told KOIN 6 she wants her students to know it's okay to feel all of the emotions that come with a tragedy like this. 'I think losing a classmate, losing a student, is always hard, but to do it at the beginning of the week of all these celebrations has been just, just devastating. So I think there are students who are resilient and strong, and they're navigating this to the best of their ability. And the students really felt that this was a really nice way to remember Mico and to tell his family how much we care about them,' Parman said. Reynolds catalytic converter thief caught on camera The suspected wrong-way driver in the deadly crash is 24-year-old Erik Moya. He appeared in a Clark County Courtroom Wednesday afternoon. According to court documents, there were several alcoholic beverages in his car when responding officers arrived, with Moya telling police he was 'just trying to get to his parents' house.' Moya's next court appearance is set for June 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
5-year-old girl killed in Franklin, Massachusetts crash was heading to brother's birthday celebration
Accused drunk driver on wrong side of road before crash that killed girl, police say Accused drunk driver on wrong side of road before crash that killed girl, police say Accused drunk driver on wrong side of road before crash that killed girl, police say The 5-year-old girl who died in a tragic crash in Franklin, Massachusetts last weekend was on her way to her brother's birthday celebration, investigators said. James Blanchard, the driver charged with causing the tragic crash on Saturday, was ordered held on $250,000 bail Tuesday. Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, pleaded not guilty to motor vehicle homicide, drunk driving and several other charges at his arraignment in Wrentham District Court. James Blanchard stood behind his attorney in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. CBS Boston Police said Blanchard was driving in the opposite lane of traffic when his pickup truck collided with a Honda Accord on Grove Street just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The girl, who has not been identified, was in the car with her brother and their parents. According to the criminal complaint released Tuesday, the family was headed out to celebrate the son's birthday at the time of the crash. The 5-year-old was rushed to the hospital where she died. Her brother and mother are still in the hospital in critical condition. Her father was driving the car. He was treated and released. A young girl was killed in a crash on involving an alleged drunk driver on Grove Street in Franklin, Massachusetts. CBS Boston Prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard had two bottles of vodka in the truck and was drinking from one of them before the crash. He was arrested and, according to police, had a blood alcohol level of 0.189. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08. Investigators are looking at surveillance video from businesses in the area to get a better idea of what happened before, during, and after the crash. Blanchard is due back in court on June 24 for a pre-trial hearing.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Manchester diner to re-open in new location after crash repair complications
MANCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — It's been six weeks since a drunk driver smashed into a beloved diner in Manchester, immediately shutting down operations until the damage was fixed. Monday, the owner of Jack's Kitchen shared the news that he hopes to be back in business this summer with a few major changes. Drunk driver crashes into Manchester diner, causing closure Since the last time News 8 was on scene of Jack's Kitchen, the Farmington Fire Marshall added this 'Keep Out' sign to the front door of Jack's Kitchen. All while owner Jack Northrup thought repairs were going to start taking place to fix the damage that occurred. Now that it's been six weeks, Northrup told me he's had to make some difficult decisions. 'I figured I've hurry up and get back open for everybody around us,' Northrup told News 8 Monday. Northrup said since the car drove into his restaurant six weeks ago, he's been doing everything he can to get back in business. News 8's Gio Battaglia: What was that process kind of looking like? Jack's Kitchen Owner Jack Northrup: I can't really say it was my landlord's fault. I gotta feel like the insurance companies are pushing and pushing for what they want, and he's just kind of at their mercy, and I'm kind of just left in the dark about the whole thing. So at this point, I'm just gonna pack up and move on and hopefully reclaim what I had going. And just a mile and a half from it's original location, Jack and his staff will soon be able to return to doing what they love, when Jack's Kitchen moves into what was Molly Moochers at 19 West Main Street in Shortsville. 'It wasn't my first option,' Northrup said. 'I really didn't want to. I would rather stay where I was. Things be easier that way. But I have employees. I have to look out for people that in their community that really like our our breakfast and our lunches. So I figured I've got to hurry up and get back open for everybody around us.' And moving just about a three minute drive up the road, Northrup said his regular have told him they will follow wherever Jack's Kitchen is. 'I get a lot of people swinging by when they see me, like, they'll see me at one spot or the other, and they'll be like, 'What's going on? Are you alright? Is everything okay? You need some help? And you know, it's been interesting. People have been really, really trying to help out in any way they could,' Northrup said. And Northrup hopes to be up and running at this new location by the beginning of July. He asks his patrons to keep checking the Jack's Kitchen Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- CBS News
Franklin mourns girl killed in alleged drunk driving crash
Franklin residents are honoring the life of a five-year-old girl who, police say, was killed in a drunk driving crash over the weekend. It happened on Grove Street in Franklin shortly before 6:30 p.m. Saturday when, police say, a pickup truck collided with a sedan carrying the little girl and her family. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said the girl was taken to the hospital, where she later died. Her brother and mother remain hospitalized with serious injuries and her father, who was driving, was treated at the hospital and released. None of the victims' identities or ages have been released. The driver of the pickup truck, identified as 21-year-old James Blanchard of Franklin, was arrested. He faces several charges, including three counts of OUI, motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol and operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol. He's being held on $500,000 bail and is set to be arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday. Memorial for girl killed in crash On Monday, some residents returned to the crash site to add to a growing memorial for the little girl. Longtime Franklin resident, Rick Talamini, built a wooden cross and hammered it into the ground. "As soon as I find out her name, I'll paint it on there," Rick told WBZ. Lisa and David Oxford also paid a visit, dropping off flowers and saying a prayer for the girl and her family. "It feels good to do something to remember the beautiful child and hopefully her family will take comfort in knowing that this is a caring community and it's a small expression of condolences to them," Lisa said. David recognized that two families lives are, now, forever altered. "The poor girl never started her life. She didn't have a chance to start her life. And it's the same situation for the driver too. We feel bad but this is what happens when people drink alcohol and drive," David said.
