Drink-Driver Jailed After Killing 13-Year-Old Girl in Crash and Urging Teen Passengers to Lie to Police

A 40-year-old drink-driver has been jailed for 12 years and eight months after killing 13-year-old Evelyn Haylock in a crash — and then telling the teenagers who were trying to save her to give police a false account of what had happened.

Dwane Moody was uninsured and unlicensed when he drove three teenagers in another guest’s car after drinking alcohol at a party in Hertfordshire on January 31.

The crash left Evelyn critically injured in the front passenger seat. She was taken to hospital but died four days later.

Moody, of Dane End, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, where he was sentenced after admitting a series of serious offences.

Moody Was Driving Erratically and at Speed

Moody had left the event after drinking and was seen driving at speed and in an erratic manner.

He eventually failed to negotiate a corner. The car crashed through a fence, leaving Evelyn seriously injured.

While two of the other teenagers called 999 and began giving Evelyn first aid, Moody attempted to persuade them to cover for him.

He told the teenagers to claim that another vehicle had forced them off the road. He also threatened them in an effort to make them provide the false version of events to emergency operators.

Emergency services arrived at the scene, and Moody was arrested before being taken to hospital and later into custody.

All three teenagers were taken to hospital. Evelyn, however, died from her injuries four days after the collision.

Guilty to Multiple Charges

Moody had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured and causing death while otherwise not in accordance with a licence.

He also admitted two counts of perverting the course of justice and aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent.

At St Albans Crown Court, he received a total sentence of 12 years and eight months in prison.

He has also been disqualified from driving for 17 years and four months.

Evelyn’s Parents Pay Tribute to Their Daughter

Following Moody’s arrest, Evelyn’s parents spoke about the daughter they lost.

Her mother described Evelyn as a child who loved life and brought an infectious energy into their home.

She recalled how much Evelyn loved being on her trampoline, remembering her daughter jumping, laughing and enjoying her childhood.

“She had so much life left to live, so many more days to jump, play and grow,” her mother said.

She added that the crash had devastated the family, saying the defendant had not simply caused a collision but had “shattered my entire universe.”

Evelyn’s father remembered his daughter as the person who could make the entire family laugh or smile every day.

“Our family is a chain, and she was the strongest link keeping us all together and now that link is no longer there,” he said.

He added that the family would continue to hold on to Evelyn’s name and keep her in their hearts.

Detective Condemns Moody’s Actions

Det Con Lewis Stanley, from the serious collision investigation unit, described the case as a tragedy in which a young girl lost her life unnecessarily.

He said Evelyn’s family had shown immense strength throughout the investigation and that officers’ thoughts remained with them as they continued to deal with their loss.

Stanley said Moody had made a series of “reckless and selfish decisions” that evening.

He also condemned Moody’s attempt to persuade the teenage passengers to lie while they were simultaneously trying to save Evelyn.

The detective said the teenagers had endured a “hugely traumatic ordeal” and praised them for their actions in helping Evelyn and contacting emergency services.

“No sentence can undo the pain caused by Evelyn’s death,” Stanley said.