A woman who caused a devastating head-on collision, killing a young couple while she was in a hurry to reach a beauty salon, has walked free from court with a suspended prison sentence.
A Fatal Moment on a Wet Road
Laila Barnard-Wigley, 27, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was driving her black Mercedes Benz on the A165 on May 7, 2021. The court heard that after a period of torrential rain, she was travelling "too fast for the conditions" on the wet road surface. Prosecutors stated she was overtaking other vehicles to make rapid progress through traffic, aiming to get to a Bridlington beauty salon before its 3.30pm closing time to sell beauty products.
Messages on her phone mentioned Estée Lauder items, including make-up and perfumes, intended for the salon worker. Just before 3.30pm, as she pulled in after an overtake, her car is believed to have aquaplaned on standing water. It veered across the road and smashed into an oncoming red Peugeot 208 in a catastrophic head-on collision.
Lives Lost and Families Shattered
The Peugeot was driven northbound by Dean Yarrow, 33, from Scarborough, with his girlfriend, Faye Wardle, 32, in the passenger seat. A young boy was secured in a child seat in the rear and survived. Both Mr Yarrow and Miss Wardle were killed in the impact. Barnard-Wigley also suffered serious injuries and was hospitalised.
In heart-wrenching victim impact statements, the families described their enduring grief. 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 spoke of the "deafening" silence in his home, calling his life "very sad." Her sister said she had lost part of her identity, stating, "I know that I am not the person I used to be."
Suspended Sentence and a Driving Ban
At Hull Crown Court, Barnard-Wigley, who had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving, was sentenced. She had faced a retrial after a jury failed to reach verdicts on more serious dangerous driving charges in December 2023.
Mitigating, her barrister Richard Dawson said the case arose from a "simple driver error" and a "momentary lapse." He stated Barnard-Wigley, who had no previous convictions and a good driving record, did not appreciate the risks of aquaplaning. "Her thoughts have always been very much for the victims and their families. She is profoundly sorry," he told the court.
Judge Sophie McKone handed Barnard-Wigley a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. She must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a six-month curfew from 9pm to 6am. She was disqualified from driving for five years and must pass an extended retest before she can legally drive again.
The prosecutor, Michael Greenhalgh, had earlier outlined how the defendant's hurry in the poor weather led to the fatal misjudgement. The judge acknowledged the catastrophic consequences of a few moments of careless driving on a rain-soaked road.
