Natasha Allarakhia, 36, hit speeds of 96mph before smashing into the back of a stationary car in June last year, killing William Ray, 17, and Eddie Shore, 18, and seriously injuring another teen
A mum-of-two who sped at 96mph while sipping beer before crashing into a car and killing two teenagers sobbed “I’m so sorry” in court today – after first lying to police at the scene about being the driver.
Natasha Allarakhia, 36 smashed her Audi Q2 into the back of a stationary Ford Fiesta last year and has been jailed for 10 years. Driver William Ray, 17, and passenger, Eddie Shore, 18 – who had just finished their A-levels – were killed, while their friend Jack Prince, 17, was left with life-changing injuries. The tragedy occurred on the A17 Newark Road in North Rauceby, Lincolnshire, a 60mph limit road, on June 20 last year.
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Lincoln Crown Court heard Allarakhia lied to police at the scene for over an hour about who was behind the wheel, claiming a friend had been driving and fled after the tragic crash. Her two young daughters were in the car at the time, along with her partner, who was injured. The 36-year-old from Turner Crescent, Norwich, pleaded guilty in June to causing the deaths of William and Eddie by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
On Monday, Judge James House KC sentenced Allarakhia to 10 years in prison, banned her from driving for more than 12 years and said she must take an extended retest. He noted her drinking was not the cause of the collision – as she was not found to be over the legal alcohol limit at the time.
Eddie’s mum Kerri Foster told the court: “Everybody loved Eddie. He’s gone and I’m heartbroken. I yearn for him constantly and remember all the special things about him. He was my baby boy.”
William’s mum Sarah Barker added: “Will was such a caring, conscientious and compassionate person. Will has always been by my side, it’s like part of my identity died with Will.”
Allarakhia wept in the dock with her head bowed as the victims’ families read out their statements, at one point crying out: “I’m so sorry”.
Prosecutor David Eager told the court that the group of friends had a “pleasant evening” watching football and that William, who had not drunk any alcohol beforehand, showed “exemplary” driving. He added that William had applied the handbrake and footbrake at the temporary traffic lights that evening.
The barrister said: “He was sat talking to his friends at the lights when behind him this defendant drove her car. She was driving at that point, the Crown would say, at 96mph. Not only was she driving at 96mph, she was not paying attention to the road.
“She drove at speed into the back of that vehicle. Even with the tiny amount of braking she did, she hit that vehicle at 70mph.
“At the scene, when spoken to she said she was a passenger in the Audi. She said that the person who was driving was her partner’s friend and he had run off. All of this took place in the presence of her two young children.”
Allarakhia was said to have braked 37 metres before impact, even though the temporary traffic lights would have been visible from 620 metres away. She was described as a “fast driver who doesn’t really concentrate”. The court also heard Allarakhia had been drinking earlier that day and took “sips of lager from a can which she had been drinking from as she drove”.
Both teenagers died from head injuries. One of the two surviving teenagers, who was sitting in the back of the car, suffered severe injuries to his hip.
Edward Renvoize, Allarakhia’s defence lawyer, said: “Her demeanour throughout this case has been one of genuine and deep remorse. Ms Allarakhia intends never to get behind the wheel of a car again.”
The court was told she had already been banned from driving in January for failing to provide information about two speeding offences in the weeks before and after the deadly crash.
The judge told Allarakhia: “They were greatly loved, they are greatly missed. What comes through most of all is the opportunities lost.”