A speeding drink driver who killed three people when he was more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit has been jailed.

Carl Simpson, from County Durham, got into his car having just consumed several pints of lager and crashed into another car at 126mph on Romney Road, Lydd, in Kent. His two passengers, Jack Ryle-Thompsett, from Lydd, and Michael Phelan, from Hull, died
at the scene, along with Sharon Haywood, from Ashford, who was driving the other car.

On Sunday 18 April 2021, Simpson, 36, had been drinking at a pub in Lydd before moving on to another pub in New Romney with Mr Phelan and Mr Ryle-Thompsett. After spending around two hours at this pub all three got into the car, a white BMW driven by
Simpson.

Simpson left New Romney and drove along the A259, Lydd Road, before driving along Romney Road where he collided with Mrs Haywood’s Dacia Duster at about 6.20pm, less than eight minutes after consuming his last alcoholic drink and leaving the pub.

All three victims died at the scene and Simpson, who was also injured, was arrested before being taken to hospital for treatment. But Simpson was able to tell one of the officers at the scene that he had been out drinking and had three or four pints of
lager.

A blood sample, taken an hour and 20 minutes after the collision produced a reading of 191 milligrams, more than double the 80mg limit. Following an investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, officers were able to piece together the
movements of the BMW before the collision.

CCTV footage from a nearby caravan park showed the BMW travelling towards the scene. At this point the average speed of the vehicle was calculated as being 118mph. Specialist data analysis was able to determine that at the point the airbags went off, the
BMW was driving at a speed of 126mph.

A number of witnesses told officers they had seen the car being driven at high speeds and made reference to their fears of a collision. One witness described seeing the car veering onto the wrong side of the road and taking a corner at such speed that
the wheels left the floor.

Simpson from Glebe Close, County Durham, was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing death without due care while over the prescribed limit. He pleaded guilty to the offences at Canterbury Crown Court
last month and was today jailed for 10 years. Simpson will also be disqualified from driving for five years on his release.

Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing Unit at Kent Police said: "This is a very tragic incident where three people have lost their lives through the selfish actions of one person. The consequences of Simpson choosing to have not one but three drinks before driving that day have left families mourning their loved ones.

"Let this be a stark reminder to anyone who chooses to drink and drive. Alcohol limits are there for a reason.

"Road safety is an important part of the force’s Safer Summer initiative but as this incident shows, fatal collision can occur at any time of the year.

"I would urge anyone who intends to go out and drink alcohol, to do so responsibly and make arrangements to get home safely. Those who decide to risk driving whilst impaired are likely to be stopped and arrested. Penalties can include a fine,
disqualification and in some cases a prison sentence.

"Our message is simple – there is no excuse for driving under the influence and, with our patrols' continuing diligence, it’s not a question of if you will get caught but when."

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/county-durham-drink-driver-who-27227666

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