Natasha Allarakhia was ‘literally drinking and driving’ when she ploughed into stationary car at temporary traffic lights on A17 in Lincolnshire
A mother who killed two teenage best friends in a catastrophic 96mph crash whilst drinking lager at the wheel has been jailed for ten years at Lincoln Crown Court.
Natasha Allarakhia, 36, was “literally drinking and driving” when she smashed her Audi Q2 into the back of a stationary Ford Fiesta on the A17 Newark Road at North Rauceby, Lincolnshire, killing 17-year-old William Ray and his passenger Eddie Shore, 18, who had just finished their A-levels.
The Norwich mother-of-two then laughed whilst taking a roadside breathalyser test and spent more than an hour lying to police about who had been driving, claiming her partner’s friend was behind the wheel and had fled the scene – all whilst her two young daughters, aged seven and 12, were present.
Devastating Impact at 70mph
Lincoln Crown Court heard the devastating collision occurred on 20 June 2024 when Allarakhia, who was sipping from a can of lager whilst driving, reached speeds of 96mph on the 60mph limit road before crashing into William’s stationary car at 70mph.
Prosecutor David Eager told the court that data from both vehicles revealed Allarakhia did not take her foot off the accelerator until just two seconds before impact. She was merely 121ft (37m) away from the Fiesta when her brakes were briefly applied, despite the temporary traffic lights being visible from 620 metres away.
“She was driving at that point, the Crown would say, at 96mph. Not only was she driving at 96mph, she was not paying attention to the road,” Mr Eager said. “She drove at speed into the back of that vehicle. Even with the tiny amount of braking she did, she hit that vehicle at 70mph.”
Victims Were ‘Exemplary’ Young Men
The court heard William had shown “exemplary” driving before the crash, having consumed no alcohol and properly using both the handbrake and footbrake whilst stopped at the lights. The teenagers had enjoyed a “pleasant” evening watching football together.
Both William and Eddie died from head injuries at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. Another 17-year-old passenger, Jack Prince, suffered life-changing injuries to his hip, whilst a fourth teenager in the car also sustained injuries.
Nick Law, headteacher at Carre’s Grammar School in Sleaford where both victims were students, described them as “lovely lads” whose deaths had “really rocked the whole community.”
Heartbreaking Family Tributes
Allarakhia wept and cried out “I’m so sorry” as the teenagers’ families delivered emotional victim impact statements in court.
Eddie’s mother Kerri Foster told the defendant: “Everybody loved Eddie. He’s gone and I’m heartbroken. I yearn for him constantly and remember all the special things about him. He was my baby boy.”
William’s mother Sarah Barker said: “Will was such a caring, conscientious and compassionate person. Will has always been by my side, it’s like part of my identity died with Will.”
Eddie’s father James Shore described spending two days holding his son’s hand in hospital before he died, saying: “It has broken me and I will never be the same person again.
Shocking Behaviour at Scene
The court was told Allarakhia laughed when she passed a roadside breath test, despite her own daughters being in the car with her. She then lied to police for more than an hour, claiming she was a passenger and that the driver had run off.
“At the scene, when spoken to she said she was a passenger in the Audi. She said that the person who was driving was her partner’s friend and he had run off. All of this took place in the presence of her two young children,” Mr Eager explained.
Although Allarakhia was not recorded as being over the legal alcohol limit at the time of the collision, Judge James House KC noted her drinking was not the cause of the collision but rather her dangerous driving and complete lack of attention.
Already Disqualified Driver
The court heard Allarakhia was already disqualified from driving in January this year for failing to provide information about two speeding offences in the weeks before and after the fatal crash. She had five previous convictions for 12 offences, including a bad driving record.
Detective Sergeant Kate Johnston, from Lincolnshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision is solely down to the reckless, selfish and dangerous actions of Allarakhia. Because of her utter disregard for the safety of others, two teenagers, with their lives ahead of them, were cruelly taken from this world.”
Ten-Year Sentence and Lifetime of Grief
Judge James House KC handed Allarakhia a ten-year custodial sentence and disqualified her from driving for a total of more than 12 years. She must take an extended retest before she can drive again.
“They were greatly loved, they are greatly missed. What comes through most of all is the opportunities lost,” the judge told the defendant.
Edward Renvoize, defending Allarakhia, said: “Her demeanour throughout this case has been one of genuine and deep remorse. Ms Allarakhia intends never to get behind the wheel of a car again.
Jack Prince, who suffered life-changing injuries, told Allarakhia in his statement that he had been left with physical injuries and described the mental harm as “unspeakable.” The fourth passenger, Luke Wood, described how the deaths of his friends had left him with a lifetime of “grief and trauma.”
Community Support
The Sleaford community has rallied around the families, with over £35,000 raised through a GoFundMe page set up by friend William Glendinning. “No parents should have to bury their own child, let alone have to pay for the funeral,” he wrote on the fundraising page.
William had been due to study aerospace engineering at Sheffield University after travelling. He was described as a good sportsman and talented academic who played rugby and football, and was part of the school team that won bronze at national gymnastics finals.
Eddie was remembered as “a very down to earth, self-deprecating, and grounded young man who loved life” who was sociable and well connected with many different people both in and out of school.
A memorial rugby tournament, the Will Ray Memorial Sevens Tournament, is planned for 21 June 2025 at Sleaford Rugby Club in aid of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, marking the anniversary of the crash.
Allarakhia, of Turner Crescent, Norwich, had pleaded guilty in June to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
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