Driver jailed for Lincolnshire crash

A driver who drank at the wheel and sped before a crash killed two teenagers near North Rauceby and was jailed for 10 years.

Driver drank at wheel jailed after Lincolnshire teen deaths

On 20 June last year, Natasha Allarakhia, 36, was driving an Audi Q2 on the A17 at North Rauceby, Lincolnshire, reaching speeds of 96 mph. Data from the vehicles showed she did not ease off the accelerator until two seconds before the crash and was reportedly drinking from a can during the journey. She failed to notice a Ford Fiesta waiting at temporary traffic lights; the Fiesta carried William Ray, 17, and Eddie Shore, 18, who died from their injuries. A third passenger, Jack Prince, 17, suffered life-changing injuries. Allarakhia pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury.

In court, it emerged she had five previous convictions for 12 offences, including a poor driving record. The judge noted she was not paying attention for a significant period and had laughed at a roadside breath test even with her own two daughters in the car. Allarakhia was given a 12-and-a-half year driving ban and must take an extended retest before she can drive again. Tributes were paid by Carre's Grammar School and by the victims' families, who described the loss as devastating for their community.

This case highlights the ongoing danger of drink driving and extreme speeding. The 10-year prison sentence, along with a long driving ban, signals a strong stance against such behaviour, but it also raises questions about how to deter repeat offenders. The tragedy underscores how quickly a moment of risk can shatter multiple lives and leave families with lifelong grief. For road safety, the incident prompts discussion on enforcement, rehabilitation, and the balance between punishment and preventing future harm. It also tests how communities process loss while seeking reforms that might prevent similar crashes in the future.

Highlights

The road to safety is a shared obligation that survives any one court case.