A woman who caused a fatal head-on collision while rushing to reach a beauty salon before it closed has been given a suspended prison sentence.
A Tragic Collision in Poor Weather
Laila Barnard-Wigley, 27, was driving her black Mercedes Benz on the A165 near Grindale crossroads, Bridlington, on May 7, 2021. The court heard that after 'biblical' heavy rain, she was driving too fast for the wet conditions. Prosecutors stated she was overtaking to make 'rapid progress' as she was 'in a hurry' to get to a Bridlington beauty salon before its 3:30 pm closing time to try and sell some products.
Her car is believed to have aquaplaned on standing water, veering across the road into the path of a red Peugeot 208. The oncoming car was being driven northbound by 33-year-old Dean Yarrow, with his 32-year-old girlfriend, Faye Wardle, in the front passenger seat. A young boy was in a child seat in the rear. The collision, which occurred just before 3:30 pm, had 'catastrophic' consequences.
Court Proceedings and Emotional Impact
Barnard-Wigley initially faced trial in December 2023, but the jury could not reach verdicts. She was due for a retrial but later changed her plea to guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving.
The sentencing at Hull Crown Court heard powerful victim impact statements from the families of Dean Yarrow and Faye Wardle. Mr Yarrow's mother said her world was destroyed and she was 'broken beyond repair', having 'never known so much pain'. Miss Wardle's father described the 'deafening' silence in his home since the tragedy, while her sister said Faye was the person she looked up to and that part of her own identity had been taken.
Suspended Sentence and Driving Ban
In mitigation, defence barrister Richard Dawson said it was a 'tragic case' and offered condolences. He stated Barnard-Wigley, who had no previous convictions and a good driving record, did not appreciate the risks of aquaplaning and accepted she should have driven more carefully. He described the incident as 'entirely out of character'.
Judge Paul Watson KC handed Barnard-Wigley a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a six-month curfew from 9 pm to 6 am. She was banned from driving for five years and must pass an extended retest before she can drive legally again.
