Sentence Increased for Reckless Driver Who Caused Fatal High-Speed Crash, Killing Two

Liberty Mitchell, a 21-year-old resident of Chipping Norton, has had her prison sentence extended by two years and seven months, bringing it to a total of nine years and three months. This decision followed the referral of her case to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Details of the Incident

On 2 December 2022, Mitchell was driving towards Aldsworth in Gloucestershire when she recklessly attempted to overtake three vehicles on the wrong side of the road, reaching speeds of nearly 100mph in a 60mph zone. Her dangerous manoeuvre resulted in a collision with a taxi, causing a catastrophic pile-up that involved multiple cars.

The taxi driver, Octavian Codreanu, tragically lost his life at the scene, while his passenger, Moyra Whelan, a history teacher, sustained life-threatening injuries and later succumbed at Southmead Hospital. Additionally, six other individuals were injured as a result of the crash, with three suffering serious injuries.

Insurance Violations and Reckless Behaviour

At the time of the incident, Mitchell, who worked as a self-employed domestic cleaner, was driving between jobs. It was revealed that her motor insurance policy did not cover her for business use, which compounded the severity of her actions.

During the police investigation, disturbing footage surfaced from Mitchell’s social media accounts, showcasing her filming herself while driving dangerously. One video depicted her speeding at 100mph, while another illustrated her swerving onto the wrong side of the road, putting oncoming traffic at risk.

Response from the Attorney General

Ellie Reeves KC MP expressed her deep condolences for the families affected by the tragedy, stating, “Liberty Mitchell’s reckless actions behind the wheel claimed the lives of two people and left many others with life-changing injuries. My deepest sympathies go to the loved ones of Octavian Codreanu and Moyra Whelan, and to all those whose lives have been devastated by this tragedy.”

She further noted Mitchell’s troubling history of sharing videos of her speeding on social media, highlighting her blatant disregard for the safety of others. The Attorney General welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to enhance Mitchell’s sentence and commended the emergency services for their efforts in treating the injured at the scene.

Final Sentencing

Initially, on 18 December 2025, at Gloucester Crown Court, Liberty Mitchell was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of driving without insurance, and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Alongside her prison sentence, she was disqualified from driving for a period of eight years and four months and will be required to pass an extended driving test before she can regain her driving licence.

On 28 July 2026, her sentence was subsequently increased by the Court of Appeal to nine years and three months, reflecting the gravity of her actions and their devastating consequences.