09 July 2024 , 19:48
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A bizarre audio clip reveals how Darryl Anderson claimed a mystery hitchhiker had taken the wheel moments before a deadly car crash which killed a tiny baby - he later dropped the fake story
A shocking clip reveals the moment a drink driver falsely claimed a mysterious ’hitchhiker’ took the wheel before a car crash that killed a tiny baby.
Darryl Anderson was behind the wheel of an Audi Q5 when he crashed between Chester-le-Street and Durham in the early hours of May 31. The horror smash resulted in the tragic deaths of eight-month-old baby Zackary Blades and his auntie, 30-year-old Karlene Warner, who were travelling in a Peugeot being driven by Zackary’s mum, Shalorna Warner.
Shalorna, from Northern Ireland, sustained minor injuries before being taken to hospital for treatment. Karlene was due to start a career as a cabin crew member and had flown into Newcastle Airport before being picked up by Shalorna. That same night, Anderson had flown into the same airport from Antalya after behaving "erratically" with his wife and returning to the UK on his own.
On Tuesday, Anderson, from Rotherham, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He was given 17 years and three months behind bars. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges last week.
Anderson concocted a false story in a police interview when he claimed he picked up a hitchhiker, who he let drive. In a new audio clip of the interview, he is heard saying that the mystery driver in gloves had asked for a lift before he invited him to drive the vehicle, because he was "knackered" from the flight. He claimed he fell asleep soon after he started the car, and only woke up at the moment of the crash.
Darryl Anderson claimed a hitchhiker was driving at the time of the crash before dropping the fake story ( Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)
When asked why there was no passenger seatbelt in place, he told officers the hitchhiker had "wrapped it around himself". Anderson later dropped the fake story and went on to plead guilty at court.
The court heard that Shalorna Warner went to pick up Karlene Warner from Newcastle Airport in the early hours of the morning. Karlene had returned early from holiday to start work as cabin crew and in the rear of the Peugeot was eight month old Zackary. Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said Anderson had flown into Newcastle from Antalya, Turkey, after “acting erratically” on holiday with his wife. He returned to England without her.
The court heard that he had been drinking alcohol on the flight and was drunk, but still took the decision to pick up his keys to his Audi from the front desk of the airport. Ms Dowling said staff at the front desk thought Anderson "smelled of alcohol but didn’t seem drunk”. He also told staff his wife had left him but that he was “going to get another one”.
He then drove off from the airport in his Audi in a moment caught on CCTV. Ms Dowling said that Anderson was "taking photographs of his dashboard while speeding at 141mph". She continued: "After the picture was taken, the defendant collided with the Peugeot. The collision was catastrophic, killing [Zackary and Karlene] instantly."
Anderson was given a roadside breathalyser test for alcohol, which he failed ( Image: PA)
The crash destroyed the Peugeot, with the back of the vehicle being completely crumpled in. A passing lorry driver then saw a distressed Shalorna in the middle of the road. He pulled over as Shalorna told him she “couldn’t find her son”. The lorry driver screamed as he tragically found Zachary’s lifeless body on the hard shoulder, and the baby had been thrown from the car due to the high-speed impact. Both Zachary and Karlene died at the scene.
Anderson’s Audi had rolled to the hard shoulder and debris was found in a nearby verge, including an empty bottle of vodka, the court heard. When police arrived Anderson said he was “sorry” for crashing into the Peugeot. He was breath tested and was found to be over the alcohol limit. The court heard that Anderson also appeared uninjured, but was taken to hospital where he refused a blood test claiming to have a fear of needles, despite having tattoos. He then provided a urine sample which confirmed he was over the limit.
Harrowing victim impact statements were read to the court from family members. Shalorna and Karlene’s father, Nigel Warner, described Anderson as a “wild man driving a killing machine”. He added: “No words can describe how we felt when we received that call from Shalorna. A horrifying, horrendous incident that will stay with her forever.”
In a second victim statement, Karlene’s husband, Kieran, demanded Anderson to look at him from the dock. Anderson’s eyes remained fixed to the floor, with Karlene’s husband shouting “coward” at him. Zackary’s mother, Shalorna, described the unimaginable distress she felt as she looked for her baby among the wreckage as those in the public gallery broke down in tears. She told the court she had to pick her son’s body up from the ground and that the deaths left an "irreparable hole in my heart".
The court heard Anderson had 10 previous convictions for 12 offences, including drink driving, assaulting an emergency worker, and battery. He was also stopped in Sheffield around a week before the fatal crash and warned about his driving.
Sentencing Anderson, Judge Jo Kidd gave her condolences to the family, thanking them for their statements provided. She said: "They have given me an insight into the precious place they held in your hearts.” She said Karlene was an “exceptional” person and mother, who had been excited for her future.