A woman who caused the deaths of two individuals while rushing to a beauty salon before closing time has been spared imprisonment. Laila Barnard-Wigley, driving a Mercedes, was involved in a fatal collision due to excessive speed in wet conditions following heavy rain. This led to a tragic incident that claimed the lives of Dean Yarrow, 33, and Faye Wardle, 32, on May 7, 2021.
Barnard-Wigley, 27, admitted guilt for the deaths resulting from careless driving, after a previous trial ended without a verdict and a retrial was pending. The accident occurred near the Grindale crossroads in Bridlington as Barnard-Wigley’s car collided with another vehicle driven by Mr. Yarrow, carrying Miss Wardle and a young boy.
Prosecutors highlighted Barnard-Wigley’s haste to reach the salon before its closure, prompting risky overtaking maneuvers in traffic. The collision occurred as her car veered into oncoming traffic due to aquaplaning on the rain-soaked road. The tragic consequences left the victims’ families devastated, expressing immense pain and loss.
In court, Barnard-Wigley received a 21-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours of community service, and a curfew, along with a five-year driving ban and a requirement to pass a retest. Her remorse was acknowledged, with her defense emphasizing the unforeseen nature of the accident and her lack of prior offenses or driving infractions. The sentencing aimed to address the irreversible loss while also serving as a cautionary measure for future road safety awareness.
