A driver died and three were seriously injured in a crash caused by dangerous driving under the influence in Northumberland.
The court heard that Owen, 25 and a farm labourer, sped home for Sunday lunch. He overtook on a blind summit exceeding 85mph, and he was also under the influence of cocaine.
David Hain, the 69-year-old driver of the Kia, was thrown from the car on impact. He died in the hospital days later due to his injuries.
David’s wife, Philippa, and their adult daughter, Megan, were also in the Kia, along with another relative. The crash caused them life-changing injuries, and their family dog died at the scene.
Rutherford, who lived in Ridsdale, Hexham, faced charges including death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury. He pled guilty to all charges in January.
The court sentenced him on Monday, February 24, to 11 years and four months in prison. He also received a driving ban for 19 years.
Sergeant Russell Surrey, from Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, spoke after the hearing. He offered his condolences to the family.
He described the family’s day as one meant for celebration that became a nightmare due to Rutherford’s actions. The family suffered the devastating loss of their husband and father.
Three other people sustained life-changing injuries from his dangerous driving. Multiple witnesses provided evidence to investigators that displayed his reckless driving, actions that caused total devastation.
Surrey thanked the victims, their families, and the witnesses for their trust and cooperation during the investigation. He emphasized that no one should die on our roads, and the accident highlighted the dangers of driving under the influence.