A teen driver who sent Snapchat videos while his friend lay dying in his car has walked free from court. Thomas Beadle admitted causing death by careless driving after he crashed into the back of Blaine Darnell's vehicle on Stockton's A177 Durham Road last September.
The 19-year-old victim's mother Zoe Darnell told the defendant that she "hates him for what he has done", Teesside Live reports. In the aftermath of the collision, the now-20-year-old sent videos and pictures of the scene to friends over Snapchat while Blaine died in his car, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The victim, who was driving a Vauxhall Corsa, had met with friends on the evening of September 29, 2021, before making their way to Teesside Park. However, when Blaine slowed down at a set of temporary traffic lights, Beadle was driving his Peugeot 308 too close and too fast behind him - meaning he was unable to stop in time.
Prosecutor Sue Hirst explained how Beadle's car then collided with Blaine's Corsa, causing him to smash into the Mini in front which was being driven by a friend. The impact from this caused the victim's car to roll onto its side and into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
The Volkswagen Touran then crashed into the roof and windscreen of the Corsa on the 50mph section of carriageway. A post-mortem found that Blaine died as a result of injuries to his head and neck which occurred on impact. The injuries would have resulted in immediate loss of consciousness and death shortly thereafter.
Drivers and an off-duty paramedic who rushed to try and help the teen were unable to reach him. The paramedic said that he appeared to be in cardiac arrest before he tragically died at the scene.
Addressing the court, his heartbroken mother, Zoe Darnell, described the last time she ever saw her son alive. He had just finished his dinner and told her he loved her before heading out the door to meet friends.
She said: “I never thought it would be the last time I saw him alive. Only a few hours later I was having to identify my son’s body in hospital - a vision I cannot get out of my head."
Judge Howard Crowson heard how in the immediate following fatal crash, Beadle sent pictures and videos of the scene over Snapchat - which Blaine's family later came to see. Ms Hirst said he was “describing an awful event” which was in “bad taste”.
The defendant also never called 999, but claims he was aware his car would have alerted emergency services at the moment of impact. Speaking through tears in court, Zoe said: “Thomas, I hate you for what you have done.
"You speak to your family but Blaine cannot. I’m disgusted by the photos and videos you posted that night knowing he was still in the car.
"You should know the cost to me and my family for killing my son, why didn’t you phone an ambulance but instead you took videos as he passed away in the car.”
Paying emotional tribute to her son, she said: “He should be celebrating his 21st birthday with his friends and family but he isn’t. He was the most loving, caring, witty, hard-working child anyone could ask for.”
Beadle was unable to explain who he sent the images on Snapchat, but said one of his friends had asked for pictures, the court heard. “It’s very clear from the defendant’s messages that he didn’t know the seriousness of what had happened,” said Fiona Lamb, mitigating.
“He clearly was aware it was serious but didn’t know how serious the situation was for Blaine.”
She added that it may be possible Beadle was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and that may be one of the reasons why he is unable to talk about what happened.
“He is remorseful and he is devastated,” she added. The defendant, who now gets to work on a push bike, is terrified of being in a car.
Ms Lamb told the court that Beadle had not driven since the fatal crash and is an “awful passenger”, with his fear “palpable”. Beadle, of George Terrace, Crook, has no previous convictions or cautions.
Judge Howard Crowson said: “Your true sentence is not going to be imposed by me. Your true sentence is a lifetime living with the knowledge that if you had driven with greater care your friend would still be alive.”
Beadle was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for two years. He has also been ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and has been banned from driving for two years.
He must also adhere to a curfew for four months between 7pm and 6am.
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