A heartbreaking incident unfolded in North Tyneside on November 20, 2022, when a drunk barmaid caused a fatal crash that took the life of one of her passengers, Truman Hub.
Karla Dodds, 25, had been out drinking with friends after finishing her shift at a local pub.
She offered to drive a group of six people to a party, but what should have been a fun night turned tragic when the car lost control and collided with a lamppost, ultimately rolling over and causing devastating injuries to Truman, who was hanging out of the car’s rear window.
Details of the Night that Led to the Crash
The night began with Dodds having drinks in Whitley Bay, followed by a late-night visit to the Havana nightclub.
After spending a couple of hours at the club, she gathered her friends and drove them to a house party in Shiremoor.
However, the journey ended in disaster when Truman, 22, was found hanging out of the rear passenger side window of the overloaded Hyundai i10.
According to the prosecution, Dodds was well over the legal alcohol limit, and her driving was described as too fast under the circumstances, despite the speed not being considered excessively high.
The Fatal Collision and Its Aftermath
As Dodds navigated a sharp left after a roundabout, the driver’s side of the car struck a lamppost, causing the vehicle to flip onto its side.
Truman, still hanging out of the window, was crushed in the impact.
The car then rolled over and came to a rest upside down.
One of the passengers in the boot, a man who was more than six feet tall, recalled feeling a bump before everything spun and he lost consciousness.
After the crash, Dodds reportedly left the scene with another friend before emergency responders arrived.
Truman was found by others at the scene, but despite attempts at CPR, he was pronounced dead due to his injuries.
The Trial and Charges Against Karla Dodds
Karla Dodds has pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the alcohol limit, but she denies causing death by dangerous driving.
She admits her actions caused Truman’s death but maintains her driving was not dangerous.
Prosecutors argue that Dodds should have been aware of Truman’s position in the car, especially considering her responsibility as the driver, and that her overloading of the vehicle and reckless behavior contributed to the fatal outcome.
Testimonies Shed Light on Dodds’ Behavior
Several passengers have testified about the events leading up to the crash.
One of them recalled Dodds saying she had “a few drinks but was okay to drive” and later urging her to slow down.
Another passenger claimed that despite warnings to turn the music down and drive more cautiously, Dodds ignored the advice and continued driving aggressively.
After the crash, one passenger described how Dodds and her friend fled the scene, leaving Truman behind.
Despite this, Dodds claimed she didn’t know Truman was seriously injured when she left, stating that she was “in shock.”
A History of Regret and Responsibility
During police interviews, Dodds admitted that having seven people in her car was dangerous and acknowledged her role in the accident.
However, she maintained she did not believe it was dangerous at the time, though she later expressed regret.
She has also denied being fully aware that Truman was hanging out of the window while driving.
The trial continues, and Dodds faces charges of dangerous driving in addition to the existing charges related to the fatal incident.
This case continues to highlight the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and the importance of taking responsibility for the safety of passengers.
As the trial unfolds, the community and those affected are left grappling with the tragic loss of a young life due to reckless decisions.