A banned driver, Kane Farragher, 24, killed his girlfriend in a 136mph crash after fleeing police through Sunderland on 1 March. Farragher, who was 14 times over the drug-drive limit and already disqualified, refused to stop his BMW M135, sparking a high-speed police chase that ended in a fatal head-on collision. The incident has highlighted the dangers of drug-driving and reckless police pursuits.
Deadly High-speed Pursuit
Farragher, under the influence of cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and cannabis, accelerated rapidly when police tried to stop him. Swerving onto the wrong side of the road, he collided head-on with another vehicle. His girlfriend, Taylor Jenkins, also 24, was in the front passenger seat and died instantly at the scene.
Serious Injuries And Impact
A friend riding in the back seat suffered a fractured skull in the collision. The crash caused significant trauma for all involved, with emergency services responding swiftly to the scene.
Toxicology Reveals Extreme Drug Levels
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw revealed that Farragher’s toxicology tests showed staggering drug concentrations, including:
- BZE (cocaine breakdown product): 791 (legal limit: 50)
- Cocaine: 32 (legal limit: 10)
- Also over legal limits for MDMA, ketamine, and THC
Serious Court Sentence
Farragher admitted to multiple charges: causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while over the drug-drive limit, causing death while disqualified, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to 12 years and nine months imprisonment with a lengthy driving ban after release.
“No sentence that I pass, nothing you can do, can ever put right the terrible harm you caused that night,” said Judge Penny Moreland.
