Woman jailed after causing deaths of two people in Gloucestershire crash weeks after driving test
Three others were injured in the 2022 crash
Last updated 13th Feb 2026
A 21-year-old woman from Chipping Norton has been jailed for causing the deaths of two people in a car crash in Gloucestershire less than a month after passing her driving test.
Liberty Mitchell, who had recently turned 18 at the time of the incident, wept openly in the dock as she was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison at Gloucester Crown Court today (February 13th).
During a court appearance in December last year (2025), Liberty Mitchell pleaded guilty to to driving dangerously and causing the deaths of taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger Moyra Whelan.
Mitchell, was travelling at 96mph in a 60mph zone seconds before she hit Mr Codreanu's taxi in December 2022, on the B4425 near Aldsworth in Gloucestershire.
The crash, which involved a grey Mini Cooper, black Audi A3, grey Polestar 2 and a black Seat Leon, happened at around 12.45pm on December 2 2022, Gloucestershire Police said.
Gloucester Crown Court heard that Mitchell, was self-employed as a cleaner at the time of the crash and was travelling between holiday cottages in the area for work.
Mitchell, driving the Mini Cooper, attempted to overtake three vehicles at once, while travelling at 96mph, before trying to abort the manoeuvre and hitting the taxi.
Mr Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, who was on her way to a wedding, died in the collision.
Mitchell was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and two counts of causing death by driving whilst uninsured, due to her car insurance not including use of the vehicle for work purposes.
She pleaded guilty to all charges.
Those involved in the crash suffered severe injuries including fractured bones and severe abdominal wounds and shattered bones protruding through the skin.
Nicola Cooper, one of the passengers in the taxi, said: "The crash itself was traumatic, the impact felt endless.
"I live with survivor's guilt and the trauma of losing one of my closest friends, Moyra, who was sitting just inches from me.
"I lie awake at night thinking about the 'what ifs'."
Katy-Louise Whelan, Moyra Whelan's younger sister, said: "She had so much left that she wanted to experience... but the opportunity was stolen from her and we are devastated.
"I'm still absolutely incredulous that she is not with us any more.
"It's like the light of the world is dimmed and we will never be able to turn it back on again.
"One aspect that haunts me is that my sister died violently... I'm truly devastated that my beautiful, innocent sister was subjected to that."
Simon Stirling, defending, suggested Mitchell's actions were a result of "inexperience rather than irresponsibility".
He said Mitchell had only recently passed her driving test and would not have understood the risk of the manoeuvre she was attempting.
Judge Lowe said: "At the time of this collision, you had held a full driving licence for less than three weeks.
"You were, at the time, a reckless and immature young driver suffering from the, frankly common, teenage delusion that you were invulnerable and free to do as you wished.
"The lives of all the victims and their families have been irrevocably changed."
Mitchell must serve half of her sentence in custody before being eligible for release on licence.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.