Chelmsford driver jailed after crash killed 13-year-old

Dwayne Moody, 40, formerly of Chelmsford, was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in prison at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, August 21, after pleading guilty to all offences at an earlier hearing.

The crash happened on January 31 in Dane End, a rural village in Hertfordshire.

Moody, who was uninsured and did not have a valid licence, also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, two counts of perverting the course of justice, and causing death while uninsured and otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was also banned from driving for 17 years and four months.

Evelyn, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, died in hospital on February 4.

Two other teenage passengers sustained minor injuries.

Jailed - Dwayne Moody 'made a series of reckless and selfish decisions' (Image: Herts Police)

Moody and the three teenagers had attended a party in Dane End before the crash.

It was reported that Moody had consumed some alcoholic drinks before he took another guest’s car and drove off with the three teenagers.

The vehicle was seen being driven erratically and at high speed.

On Whitehill, Moody failed to navigate a corner, and the car crashed through a fence.

Evelyn was seriously injured in the crash as the two other teenagers called 999 and began administering first aid.

Moody told them to say that an oncoming vehicle had forced them off the road.

He then left the scene but later returned with the car’s owner.

Moody threatened one of the teenagers, insisting they tell police the false version of events.

Emergency services arrived at the scene, and Moody was arrested.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution, but was discharged with no injuries and taken into custody.

Tragic - 13-year-old Evelyn Haylock has been described as her loved ones as 'pure light' (Image: Herts Police)

Detective Constable Lewis Stanley, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This is a tragic case in which a young girl lost her life unnecessarily.

"Evelyn's family have shown immense strength throughout this investigation and our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with their devastating loss.

"Dwane Moody made a series of reckless and selfish decisions that evening.

"Not only did he drive dangerously, resulting in a fatal collision, but he then attempted to evade responsibility by pressuring others to provide a false account of what had happened.

"It speaks volumes of his character that he, a grown man, was trying to persuade the other passengers, both teenagers, to lie for him whilst they were trying to save Evelyn.

"They suffered a hugely traumatic ordeal and I would like to commend them for their brave actions.

"No sentence can undo the pain caused by Evelyn’s death."

Evelyn’s mother described her daughter as "a child who absolutely loved life" in a statement read in court.

She said: "She brought an infectious energy into our home, and her presence was pure light.

"One of her absolute favourite places to be was on her trampoline.

"I can still close my eyes and see her jumping, laughing, and defying gravity, just bursting with youth and happiness.

"She had so much life left to live, so many more days to jump, play, and grow.

"Evelyn’s feet will never touch that trampoline again.

"Her laughter has been permanently silenced.

"The defendant didn't just cause a crash; he shattered my entire universe."

Evelyn’s father said she was "the light of all our worlds."

He said: "There wasn’t a day that would go by without her making us laugh or smile.

"She would pop up throughout the day and say the most random things that would make us all burst out laughing.

"Our family is a chain, and she was the strongest link keeping us all together, and now that link is no longer there but we are still holding on strong, never losing her name and keeping her in our hearts."