Billingham man jailed for drug driving crash which killed teenage girl
A Billingham man's been jailed for 8 years, after causing the death of a teenager while drug driving on a provisional license
Last updated 19th Jan 2026
A Billingham man's been jailed for 8 years, after causing the death of a teenager while drug driving on a provisional license.
27-year-old Camron Holmes, of Mill Lane, Billingham, drove a Renault Clio whilst he held only a provisional licence and was under the influence of three different drugs in the early hours of 7th August 2025.
His passenger, 18 year old Lauren Beavan, was seriously injured when the car crashed into a tree and overturned on a road between Greatham village and the A689.
Lauren was trapped inside the vehicle and was declared dead a short time later, despite the efforts of emergency services.
Camron Holmes was located at the scene with visible injuries and presenting signs of intoxication. A roadside drugs wipe indicated a positive result for cocaine and cannabis, and he was arrested at the scene. A hospital blood sample later confirmed the presence of controlled drugs well above the legal limits, including cannabis, cocaine and he was also sixteen times the legal limit for benzoylecgonine.
Following a full investigation by Matrix Collision Investigation Unit, Camron was later charged and pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst unfit through drugs and causing death by driving whilst unlicenced/uninsured.
Today, at Teesside Crown Court, he was sentenced to eight years in prison and he was banned from driving for 14 years.
In a victim impact statement read in court, Lauren’s mother, said: “My daughter Lauren Carol Rose Beavan, aged only 18 years old, barely still a child, she was a beautiful, selfless, kind, loving young lady who was always smiling and full of life.
“Her death has not took just one life, it has shattered and destroyed a whole family.
“A parent should never have to face losing their child, but we have and it has physically and mentally worn us to the ground.”
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Rachael Johnson, said: “Lauren’s family are living with the pain of losing their daughter in a collision that was entirely avoidable.
“One man chose to drive whilst under the influence of drugs, and that decision has had irreversible consequences for them.
“I welcome today’s sentencing. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who make the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel whilst intoxicated through drugs. Driving under the influence is reckless, irresponsible and puts innocent lives at risk.
“The message is simple: if you take drugs, do not drive. Your actions behind the wheel can destroy lives.”