Motorist faces jail over crash that killed Bethany
WARNING FROM JUDGE
KILLER driver Jordan O’Donnell has admitted causing the death of a teenager and seriously injuring another girl in a horror crash.
The 20-year-old was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo with no insurance when he lost control in Bedlington, Northumberland, last month.
Passenger Bethany Fisher tragically suffered fatal injuries while Meg McBurnie, also in the car, was left seriously hurt.
After the collision, O’Donnell rang police and lied that his car had been stolen.
Now he has been warned he is likely to receive a lengthy prison after he admitted offences including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice
Judge Tim Gittins, at Newcastle Crown Court, told O’Donnell, who appeared on a video-link to HMP Durham: “You having pleaded guilty to the offences you face, obviously the likelihood is a significant custodial sentence.
“But the final determination of what the sentence will be, will be made by the judge on the next occasion who has all the available information before him.
“It’s obviously in your interests to assist the probation service in the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
“You will receive significant credit for the pleas you have entered at a relatively early stage.
“In the circumstances you will be remanded in custody and will be produced on October 16 for sentence.”
Full details of what happened on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19 will not be revealed until the sentencing hearing.
O’Donnell, of Waverly Court, Bedlington Station, admitted causing 19-year-old Bethany’s death by dangerous driving and a separate charge of causing death by driving while uninsured.
He admitted causing Meg, also 19, serious injury by dangerous driving.
O’Donnell also admitted doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice - by making a false report about a burglary and theft of his car - and failing to stop after an accident.
Judge Gittins asked for victim impact statements from Bethany’s family and Meg to be prepared ahead of the sentencing hearing.
We reported at the time how Bethany was killed in the early hours, reportedly after a night out celebrating her birthday. Despite the efforts of neighbours and paramedics, she died before she could reach hospital.