Dangerous driver jailed after fatal crash in Washington

A dangerous driver who killed his passenger after crashing into a tree in Washington has been jailed.

Gavin Hall, who is now 39, lost control of his silver Audi S3 car while travelling on the A194 in between the A195 and A182 slip roads on October 3, 2020.

A passenger in the Audi, Lois Davidson, 27, of Gateshead, was tragically killed in the crash which occurred at about 10.35pm.

Two other occupants of the car were taken to hospital for treatment of multiple injuries and later discharged.

An investigation launched by Northumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit soon found that Hall only collected the modified car earlier that night.

He was found to have been driving in excess of the speed limit in atrocious weather conditions when he lost control of the vehicle.

Hall, of Ellen Court, Jarrow, was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was found guilty on all counts by a jury following a five-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court in November.

Hall appeared before the same court today and was sentenced to 12 years in custody.

He has also been disqualified from driving for 12 years.

Chief Inspector Dean Hood, of Northumbria Police, said:

First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Miss Davidson’s family and friends following this tragic incident.

Hall drove in excess of the speed limit that night, and his decision-making in adverse weather conditions sadly led to her death and the serious injury of his two other passengers.

More than four years have passed since Lois tragically lost her life, and I hope today’s sentence will help provide a degree of closure for her loved ones.

No sentence will ever bring Lois back, but I am pleased we have been able to provide answers for her family and bring Hall to justice.