Teenager jailed after he 'tried to walk away' from a high-speed crash that killed a father and daughter
A teenager has been jailed for eight years after admitting causing the deaths of a father and daughter by driving at speeds of more than 100 mph on Teesside.
Mario Dzhambazov was hurtling along the A171 near Guisborough, when he collided with a black Hyundai I30 in June last year. He admitted driving without insurance.
The high-speed crash claimed the lives of 68-year-old semi-retired farmer, Michael Liddell and his daughter, mum-of-two Sarah Liddell, 41.
Today, the victims' family described their 'inconsolable loss' in court.
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Tragically, the pair, who were in the Hyundai, were not supposed to be on the road on that day. They had earlier turned up to Nuffield Hospital in Norton where Mr Liddell was due to undergo an eye operation.
But they'd arrived on the wrong date, and the operation was not until the following day. It was on their journey home that they were killed.
Mr Liddell, from Moorsholm, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. His daughter later died of her injuries at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Prosecutor, Paul Abrahams, told the court that another motorist who witnessed the crash described the treacherous conditions, saying it was "raining heavily" with "large puddles" on the roads.
The witness said he drove onto the A171 near to the Woodhouse roundabout when he saw the black Hyundai. He said that as he continued, he saw a “dark BMW” that was “travelling very fast” approaching.
“It was the speed that drew my attention to it”, the witness said.
Dzhambazov then collided his 2002 BMW 330i into the family hatchback at such force it almost made both vehicles "disintegrate".
He was going at such speed, the witness claimed his BMW was also "airborne" before impact.
Dzhambazov escaped unscathed and was seen "speaking on his phone" at the roadside while the witness attempted to help the dad and daughter. But the teen was later apprehended by a fireman attending the scene as he tried to “walk away” from the crash.
Dzhambazov sat emotionless throughout proceedings.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison and was banned from driving for 10 years.
Judge Ashurst said the Home Office would be reviewing his situation upon his release.