A man has been sentenced to prison for causing the death of his girlfriend in a head-on collision on a dual carriageway while being pursued by the police.
Kane Farragher, aged 24, was under the influence of drugs when he drove his BMW in the wrong direction on the A19 and crashed into another vehicle, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Taylor Jenkins. Farragher was driving at speeds of up to 136mph during the incident.
Following his admission of guilt for causing death by dangerous driving, Farragher received a sentence of 12 years and nine months at Newcastle Crown Court. The tragic event occurred as Northumbria Police officers attempted to stop Farragher, who refused to pull over. His actions led to the fatal collision that claimed Jenkins’ life and left a friend in the back seat severely injured.
Tests conducted after the crash revealed that Farragher was significantly over the legal limits for various drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, and ketamine. The court also heard that Farragher was driving a BMW that had drawn police attention as a vehicle of interest.
Despite efforts by the police to halt Farragher’s reckless driving, he managed to evade capture by driving at excessive speeds and heading the wrong way down the A19. The pursuit was terminated when Farragher collided with a taxi, resulting in further injuries.
While Jenkins lost her life in the crash, Farragher sustained minor injuries and was apprehended shortly after the incident. Despite initially denying his involvement, Farragher later confessed to charges including drug-driving offenses, driving while disqualified, and causing serious injury.
Prior to this incident, Farragher had a history of criminal driving behavior, having been previously convicted for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. Jenkins’ family expressed their deep sorrow over the loss, remembering her as a beloved individual with a kind and joyful spirit.
During the sentencing, Farragher, who was already disqualified from driving, showed remorse and was visibly emotional. His actions not only resulted in tragic consequences but also highlighted the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and disregarding road traffic laws.
