A drunk driver who sped through a red light at nearly 60mph, killing a university student as she crossed the road, and then set his car ablaze in a desperate attempt to cover his tracks has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Liam Bowes, 37, consumed up to ten pints of lager and multiple shots at a 50th birthday celebration before taking the wheel of a friend's Volkswagen Golf and striking Abigail Eggleston, a 22-year-old law student.
Horrific Details of the Incident
Disturbing footage presented in court captured Bowes racing through a red light and hitting Abigail as she used a pedestrian crossing in Durham, County Durham. Bowes, a motor mechanic, was traveling at 56mph on the 40mph A167 in the suburb of Neville's Cross when he collided with Abigail, leaving her fatally injured on the road before fleeing the scene, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Bowes admitted to causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. In a calculated move to destroy evidence, he later set fire to the vehicle. Sentencing him, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Francis Laird, KC, described Bowes' dangerous driving as 'prolonged, persistent and deliberate,' noting that Abigail 'did not stand a chance.'
Family's Heartbreaking Statements
Abigail's family condemned Bowes as a selfish 'coward' for failing to stop at the scene. Judge Laird addressed Bowes directly, stating, 'Your deliberate and wilful decision to drive whilst highly intoxicated, and in doing so ignore the most basic rules of road safety, resulted in the loss of a precious life. The loss to the Eggleston family is devastating for them and will impact the rest of their natural lives.'
Abigail's mother, Mandy Eggleston, expressed in a victim impact statement that her world has been 'completely and utterly crushed and destroyed.' She accused Bowes of showing 'a total disregard for human life' and highlighted his lack of remorse, saying, 'At no time have you ever regained a conscience or shown any hint of remorse. Instead you embarked on a mission to cover and hide your tracks.'
Abigail's sister, Jessica Eggleston, questioned Bowes' actions, asking if he had considered calling emergency services anonymously or wondered about the victim's identity. She reflected on the irony that Abigail, who regularly donated blood to help others, was killed by someone who recklessly endangered lives.
Attempts to Evade Justice
The court learned that Bowes attempted to conceal his involvement by abandoning the car and setting it alight with the 'unwitting assistance' of his mother. He also sent text messages to a friend falsely claiming he was at home during the hit-and-run. Initially denying he was driving when arrested, Bowes later admitted his role after being confronted with CCTV evidence, though he falsely claimed to be driving at 44mph at the time of the collision.
Bowes had a prior criminal record, including four convictions for 12 offences such as driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident. In addition to the prison sentence, he was disqualified from driving for 18 years.
Victim's Promising Future Cut Short
Judge Laird paid tribute to Abigail, describing her as an intelligent, hard-working, and sensitive young woman studying law at Durham University. She was talented in martial arts, having earned a black belt, as well as in singing and cooking. 'She was destined to do well in her studies and had a promising and fulfilling career in law ahead of her. In short, she was full of life,' the judge said. He added that no sentence could measure the value of her life or ease her family's pain.
In a letter read by his defense lawyer, Christopher Morrison, Bowes expressed being 'truly sorry' for the 'pain, grief, and devastation that I have caused.' He acknowledged taking full responsibility for his actions but noted that forgiveness may never be possible from the family.
