Driver sentenced for death of teenage girl
In addition to the custodial sentence, Moody has been banned from driving for 17 years and four months
A man who crashed a car in Dane End, killing a teenage girl, has been sentenced to 12 years and 8 months in prison.
Dwane Moody, aged 40, of Rowney Lane in Dane End, appeared at St Albans Crown Court today (21 August).
Moody was sentenced for the following offences:
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Causing death whilst uninsured
- Causing death whilst otherwise in accordance with a license
- 2x perverting the course of justice
- Aggravated taking (of a vehicle) without consent
Moody had pleaded guilty to all offences at an earlier hearing.
In addition to the custodial sentence, he has been banned from driving for 17 years and four months.
The collision occurred at around 7.30pm on Saturday 31 January and resulted in the death of 13-year-old Evelyn Haylock, who was sat in the front passenger seat. Two other teenage passengers sustained minor soft tissue damage.
Moody and his three passengers had been at a party in Dane End before the collision occurred. It was reported that Moody had consumed some alcoholic drinks before he took another guest’s car and drove off with the three teenagers.
The vehicle was seen to be driving erratically and at speed. As Moody drove up Whitehill, he failed to navigate a corner and the vehicle went through a fence seriously injuring Evelyn.
The two other teenagers called 999 and began administering first aid.
Meanwhile Moody demanded them to say that there had been a vehicle coming the other way which had forced them off the road. Next, he left the scene, before returning with the vehicle’s rightful owner.
Moody then threatened one of the teenagers, insisting that they should tell the police the false account of what had happened
Emergency services arrived at the scene and Moody was arrested. He was taken to hospital as a precaution and was discharged with no injuries before being taken into custody.
Evelyn and the two other teenagers were taken to hospital. Sadly, Evelyn died on Wednesday 4 February.
Detective Constable Lewis Stanley, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a tragic case in which a young girl lost her life unnecessarily. Evelyn's family have shown immense strength throughout this investigation and our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with their devastating loss.
“Dwane Moody made a series of reckless and selfish decisions that evening. Not only did he drive dangerously, resulting in a fatal collision, but he then attempted to evade responsibility by pressuring others to provide a false account of what had happened.
“It speaks volumes of his character that he, a grown man, was trying to persuade the other passengers, both teenagers, to lie for him whilst they were trying to save Evelyn. They suffered a hugely traumatic ordeal and I would like to commend them for their brave actions.
“No sentence can undo the pain caused by Evelyn’s death.”
As part of a moving statement read out in court, Evelyn’s mother said: “She was a child who absolutely loved life. She brought an infectious energy into our home, and her presence was pure light. One of her absolute favourite places to be was on her trampoline. I can still close my eyes and see her jumping, laughing, and defying gravity, just bursting with youth and happiness. She had so much life left to live, so many more days to jump, play, and grow…Evelyn’s feet will never touch that trampoline again. Her laughter has been permanently silenced. The defendant didn't just cause a crash; he shattered my entire universe.”
During his statement, Evelyn’s father said: “Evelyn was the light of all our worlds, there wasn’t a day that would go by without her making us laugh or smile. She would pop up throughout the day and say the most random things that would make us all burst out laughing. Our family is a chain, and she was the strongest link keeping us all together and now that link is no longer there but we are still holding on strong, never losing her name and keeping her in our hearts.”