Drunk-driver who killed three people including dad-to-be in 126mph BMW horror crash after downing pints in pub is jailed | The Sun
A DRUNK-driver who killed three people including a dad-to-be in a 126mph BMW horror smash has been jailed.
Carl Simpson had been downing pints in the pub with pals Jack Ryle-Thompsett from Lydd and Michael Phelan when he got behind the wheel.
The 36-year-old then crashed into Sharon Haywood, 58, as she travelled in her Dacia Duster on the A259 in Romney Marsh, Kent.
Tragically, Sharon was killed instantly along with 26-year-old Jack, whose girlfriend was six months pregnant.
Michael, 48, was also declared dead at the scene just months after he married wife Angela Phelan.
Simpson claimed he had drunk three or four pints but a blood sample showed he was more than double the legal limit.
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He has now been jailed for ten years for three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing death without due care while over the prescribed limit.
The devastated families of the three victims spoke of their torment at Simpson's sentencing hearing.
Jack's partner Georgie Fletcher, who has since given birth to a baby girl called Lylah, said: "You got into that car and you drove at a speed that was completely unacceptable and you killed three innocent people.
“Carl, you came into my house, I washed your clothes and made you comfortable. In return, I have been left with nothing.
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“All [Lylah] has is photos and videos of her father. What you have done is unforgivable.
“You will eventually be at home with your family… Lylah is such a happy girl but the time will come where she wants answers. I hope you remember this as we always will.”
Michael's wife Angela told how his death in April 2021 "destroyed" her.
She said: "Life with Mike was wonderful, we were happy and in love – we had waited our whole lives for ‘the one’, but after just 20 months of marriage our happiness was ripped apart and I was made a widow at the age of 44.
“My best friend is gone, our future has been stolen… We had so many plans for the future, just thinking about it makes me scream with heartache. What do I do now? How do I carry on?”
Michael's daughter Shannon told how she was unable to give her dad a final kiss as his body had "deteriorated".
She added: "I knew at that point I had to let him go, my last goodbye ripped away from me.
“I constantly picture the events, the speed travelled, the impact from the collision… my dad stayed there for hours, lifeless in the back of a burning car, while in the meantime the man responsible was in the hospital being treated.
"It should not have been my dad left in that car.”
While Sharon's daughter paid tribute to the grandmother-of-nine, who was on her way home from her job as a social worker when the horror unfolded.
Rachel Stephens said: “Mum had no control, no say over her own death, she was instantly gone and taken from her own family.
“All she was doing was driving home to Ashford after caring for the elderly in Lydd, a job she loved.
“Even though it is two years since the crash, I still cannot believe my mother is gone.”
CCTV showed the BMW travelling at 118mph as Simpson hurtled through a caravan site.
Witnesses reported seeing the car reach "terrifying" speeds as it veered on the wrong side of the road and took a corner so quickly the wheels left the ground.
At the time of the crash, the BMW was driving at a speed of 126mph.
Sharon's car was thrown upwards by the force of the collision and landed in a nearby field.
The BMW spun until it eventually came to a rest facing in the opposite direction.
Passers-by managed the help Simpson out the car before it caught fire and was taken to hospital with serious injuries before he was arrested.
He will be disqualified from driving for five years after he is released from prison.
Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing Unit at Kent Police said: "This is a very tragic incident where three people have lost their lives through the selfish actions of one person.
"The consequences of Simpson choosing to have not one but three drinks before driving that day have left families mourning their loved ones.
"Let this be a stark reminder to anyone who chooses to drink and drive. Alcohol limits are there for a reason."
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