Sammy Bingham, jailed for his role in a fatal crash, admits to drink driving in Donaghcloney and receives a driving ban.
Bingham appeared in court via video link. He admitted to drunk driving on February 7. This happened in Donaghcloney. Bingham is 34 years old. His lawyer said he was sentenced earlier in the week.
Details of the February 7 incident weren’t shared. The judge banned Bingham from driving for a year. He didn’t fine him because he’s in jail. Bingham got a 14-month sentence. He’ll spend half in jail. The rest will be on release licence.
This was for letting Wright drive drunk. Tara Wright, 17, died after the car crash. Bingham was in the passenger seat. He didn’t call for help after the crash. He left and returned with friends.
They moved Wright to another car. Then, they took her to the hospital in Belfast. Another passenger had a brain injury and skull fractures. He survived in the back seat.
Wright was at a pub earlier. She was four times over the alcohol limit. Others told her not to drive. Judge Gilpin said Bingham ignored her condition. Bingham admitted to two charges in November.
One charge was about his actions after the crash. Wright was dragged from the car and put in another car. That car took her to the hospital. An ambulance was flagged down.
Earlier help might have briefly helped. However, her injuries were very severe. She wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Prosecutors said Bingham worsened her condition. This hastened her death.
He went to the hospital but then left. He was seen washing his hands at a gas station. He was twice over the alcohol limit that night. Drugs were also in his system.
A friend drove his car to the pub. He didn’t plan to drive. The car was going 53 mph before the crash on a bend. Bingham was talking to a friend and wasn’t fully aware of Wright’s ability to drive. She was warned not to drive. The judge called it a tragic case.