In the early hours of November 20, 2022, a tragic incident took place in North Tyneside when Karla Dodds, a 25-year-old barmaid, caused a fatal crash while driving under the influence of alcohol.
The crash led to the death of Truman Hub, a 22-year-old passenger, who was hanging out of the rear window of the car at the time of the collision.
The Fateful Night and The Events Leading Up to the Crash
Dodds, who had been drinking at a nightclub in Whitley Bay after finishing her shift at a local pub, decided to offer a ride to a group of friends heading to a party in Shiremoor.
She was well over the legal alcohol limit, and the car was overloaded, with seven people crammed inside the small Hyundai i10.
The group included Truman, his girlfriend, and other friends, one of whom had to climb into the boot of the car due to the lack of space.
As the vehicle made its way toward a roundabout on the A191, the situation began to spiral out of control.
Truman, who was seated in the back, leaned out of the passenger window to feel the wind.
Despite his girlfriend’s warnings to get his head back inside, Truman’s actions ultimately contributed to the tragic events that followed.
The Moment of Impact and Its Aftermath
As the car navigated a sharp left turn off the roundabout, Dodds lost control and crashed into a lamppost.
The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, and Truman, who was still hanging out of the window, suffered fatal injuries.
The car then rolled onto its roof, coming to a stop a short distance from the point of collision.
Despite the severity of the crash, Dodds continued to drive away from the scene with a friend, leaving Truman behind.
The group’s desperate attempts to revive him proved futile, and he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
One of the surviving passengers, who had been unconscious for a time, described hearing Dodds shouting, “We’ve got to go, we’ve got to go,” before she left the scene.
Legal Proceedings and Denials
At Newcastle Crown Court, Dodds admitted to causing Truman’s death by careless driving while under the influence but denied causing death by dangerous driving.
The prosecution argued that Dodds was aware of the dangerous situation, as the car was overloaded and one passenger was hanging out of the window.
Prosecutors also pointed out that she had been driving at an excessive speed, considering the circumstances, though not grossly excessive.
Witness testimonies painted a picture of a reckless and unsafe situation, with one passenger recalling how he had urged Dodds to slow down, to no avail.
He also claimed that she was aware of the danger but ignored his concerns. Meanwhile, Truman’s girlfriend confirmed that no one in the back of the car, including Truman, was wearing seatbelts.
The Psychological Impact and Dodds’ Response
When Dodds was later interviewed by police, she admitted that she had been in shock and couldn’t recall the events clearly.
She also acknowledged that having seven people in a car designed for five was dangerous, apologizing for her actions.
Despite her admission, she continues to deny causing death by dangerous driving.
The case remains ongoing, with the court continuing to hear arguments about the extent of Dodds’ responsibility for the tragic crash.
The trial is set to determine whether her actions amounted to dangerous driving or whether it was simply a careless mistake under the influence of alcohol.