A Bridlington woman, Laila Barnard-Wigley, 27, has avoided imprisonment after causing a fatal crash that took the lives of a couple. The incident occurred on May 7, 2021, in East Yorkshire, following heavy rain. Dean Yarrow, 33, and Faye Wardle, 32, lost their lives in the collision. Barnard-Wigley, driving her Mercedes at excessive speed for the weather conditions, likely hydroplaned into the victims’ vehicle on the A165 in Bridlington.
In Hull Crown Court, Barnard-Wigley received a suspended sentence and a five-year driving ban after admitting to causing the deaths due to careless driving. Originally facing charges of dangerous driving resulting in the fatalities of the Scarborough couple, she changed her plea to guilty before the retrial.
According to Prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh, the tragic accident occurred when Barnard-Wigley’s car collided with Mr. Yarrow’s vehicle, where his girlfriend, Miss Wardle, was a passenger. Barnard-Wigley was reportedly rushing to a beauty salon in Bridlington to sell beauty products before closing time. The collision happened after she overtook vehicles in wet conditions, leading to the fatal crash.
The court heard emotional statements from the victims’ families expressing their profound grief and loss. Barnard-Wigley, who also suffered injuries, was remorseful for the consequences of her actions. Her legal representative, Richard Dawson, emphasized that the incident was a result of a momentary error in judgment rather than prolonged reckless driving.
Despite the tragedy, Barnard-Wigley’s clean driving record, genuine remorse, and the impact of the incident on her life were considered in the sentencing. She received a suspended prison term, community service, a curfew, and a driving ban, with the requirement to pass a retest before regaining driving privileges.