‘Reckless’ Mom Who Drank Alcohol Behind Wheel Before Killing 2 Teenagers in 96 mph Crash Is Jailed for 10 Years

A mother in England who drank alcohol while driving before causing a crash that killed two teenagers has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

On Monday, Aug. 18, Natasha Allarakhia, 36, from the U.K. village of Postwick near Norwich, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court for a collision on June 20, 2024, that claimed the lives of 17-year-old William Ray and 18-year-old Eddie Shore, according to a Lincolnshire Police news release.

The crash occurred around 9:40 p.m. local time on the A17 road near Sleaford, when the Audi Q2 Allarakhia was driving struck the rear of a Ford Fiesta stopped at temporary traffic lights just before the junction with Rauceby Lane.

“The driver of the Fiesta, William Ray, 17, and his front seat passenger, Eddie Shore, 18, both died in hospital from their injuries,” police stated.

Police noted that the victims’ car had been halted at the lights due to road construction, which had been properly signed with three warning signs in advance.

Following the collision, Allarakhia initially tried to blame a male passenger in her car, but later admitted to officers that she had been driving. While she was not over the legal limit for drink driving, the court heard that she had sipped from a can of alcohol during the journey.

Three other passengers in the Audi, including two of Allarakhia’s children and an adult, sustained only minor injuries. Two 18-year-old rear seat passengers in the victims’ car survived, despite serious injuries, which police described as “miraculous.”

Investigators found that the Audi was traveling over 90 mph just before impact, in an area with a 60 mph limit. Braking occurred less than two seconds before the collision.

Prosecutor David Eager told the court that Allarakhia had previously admitted to two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and one charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She had crashed into Ray’s car at around 70 mph. The court heard that she had been drinking from a can while driving, and even laughed after a roadside breath test, despite her two daughters, ages 7 and 12, being in the car.

“The investigation concluded that Allarakhia’s driving and actions were solely responsible for the collision, and that William Ray could have done nothing to avoid it,” police said.

Detective Sergeant Kate Johnston of the Lincolnshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit called the incident “solely down to the reckless, selfish, and dangerous actions of Allarakhia.” She added, “Because of her utter disregard for the safety of others, two teenagers, with their lives ahead of them, were cruelly taken. The other occupants of the Fiesta continue to deal with both physical and mental impacts of that night.”

Johnston also emphasized that Allarakhia’s immediate attempts to lie and shift blame showed “a contemptible disregard for anyone else involved,” and that her failure to follow basic road rules had destroyed lives while putting her own children at risk.

In addition to her prison sentence, Allarakhia has been banned from driving for 12 years and eight months and must pass an extended driving test before regaining her license.

Victim William Ray’s mother, Sarah, paid tribute to her son on Aug. 20. “Will was not just my only son, he was also a best friend and I love him dearly,” she said. “I will never get to see Will graduate, get married, or make his future life. He was such a caring, conscientious, and compassionate person. I just miss him so much—his smile, his cheekiness, and his friendship. Will, I love you.”

His father, Steven, said, “We now all have to learn what a new normal will be for us without Will. He will never be forgotten.”