Drunk barmaid kills friend in North Tyneside crash

A barmaid named Karla Dodds has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after causing a fatal car crash. The incident occurred in November 2022 when she was driving while heavily intoxicated. Dodds had crammed seven friends into her small Hyundai i10, which is designed for only five people. Tragically, one of her passengers, 22-year-old Truman Hub, was killed in the crash. He was leaning out of the rear window when Dodds lost control and hit a lamppost, causing the car to flip over. During the arrest, Dodds was seen sobbing and asking police, "Who's dead?" after they informed her of the situation. Dodds had previously been involved in another fatal crash and had a history of drug-driving. Her drinking began after working at a bar, and she had picked up friends to take them to a party. Prosecutors revealed that Dodds was driving well over the legal alcohol limit and was speeding with loud music playing. In a victim impact statement, Truman's mother expressed her deep sorrow, saying her life feels unbearable without her son. She described feelings of anger towards Dodds for the loss of her child. The court heard testimonies from passengers who noted Dodds’s reckless driving and their pleas for her to slow down before the crash occurred. Ultimately, Dodds was found guilty of causing death by careless driving while intoxicated. She has also been banned from driving for 13 years following her release from prison.