Two sentenced for Whisby Road collision in 2021

Two people have been sentenced for their part in a collision at an unofficial car meet which left three pedestrians and the driver of another car with serious injuries.

The collision took place at around 10.15pm on 21 August 2021 and involved a silver Vauxhall Vectra and a white Toyota Celica which were being driven along Whisby Road and Whisby Way in Lincoln. 

Following an eight month investigation it was established that the Vectra, driven by Robert Haines, 33, of Reedbush Avenue, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln had been travelling well in excess of the 40mph speed limit along Whisby Road between the Teal Park roundabout and Whisby Way.  

The area was heavily populated with other vehicles and pedestrians due to the unofficial car meet.

Haines’ vehicle collided with the front of a black Citroen C1 which was at the junction of Whisby Road and Whisby Way, before it left the carriageway hitting three pedestrians that were on the footpath watching the car meet. The driver of the Citroen was also left with significant serious injuries.

The driver of the Toyota, Bailey Davis, 21, of Chestnut Street, Ruskington Davis, had been tailgating Haines at the time of the collision, which Haines claimed led to his increase in speed, the investigation found.

Police, EMAS, fire crews, the air ambulance, and the Coast Guard helicopter were all in attendance, and the road was closed for around 10 hours while specialist officers carried out initial enquiries.

The investigation included forensics work, viewing hours of mobile phone footage, speaking to dozens of witnesses, and trawling through cyber data.

Inspector James Kirk led the investigation. He said: "This was a catastrophic collision that was entirely preventable. The injuries sustained and the heartache felt by the victims and their families cannot be underestimated. Protecting our public from serious road harm is a priority for Lincolnshire Police and we will not tolerate poor driver behaviour such as that presented in Lincoln Crown Court today (12 December).

"We welcome the sentences imposed and hope that this is a stark reminder of the consequences for anyone who considers driving in a similar manner on the county’s roads in the future." 

Haines pleaded guilty to his part in the collision at a hearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 22 September. He has today been sentenced to 32 months in prison for four counts of causing serious injury whilst dangerous driving. He has also been given a five year driving ban with compulsory retest. 

Davis was initially charged with dangerous driving and accepted a lesser plea of careless driving at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 20 October. He has today been given 9 penalty points and a £500 fine.