Woman sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for causing deaths of a 17- and 18-year-old

Madeleine Lonsdale, 18, had previously admitted two charges of causing death by careless driving following the single vehicle collision on Toll Bar Road, Marston in June 2025.  

Lonsdale was travelling towards Marston from the A1 about 1.40am on Friday 20 June 2025 when the Kia Niro 4 EV she was driving left the carriageway colliding with a tree on a right-hand bend.  The front seat passenger of the Kia, Harrison Carter, 18, and the rear seat passenger, George Stephenson, 17, both sadly died at the scene from their injuries.

Lonsdale had been out with friends and had called at the Esso service station on the junction of the A1 and Toll Bar Road.  Having purchased some items, they got back in the car and then turned left onto Toll Bar Road towards Marston, before a short time later she lost control and collided with a tree.

Toll Bar Road, Marston (Lincolnshire Police)

Lonsdale, of Squires View, Long Bennington, was today sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court to 14 months imprisonment.  She was also banned from driving for a total of three years five months and two weeks and must take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.

The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by our Serious and Forensic Collision Investigation Units.  Technical examinations of the vehicles and road found no defects that could have contributed to the collision.

Investigators established that whilst the road was subject to the national speed limit, the corner where the collision occurred required a lower speed to be safely negotiated.  Examination of the airbag control module in the car established Lonsdale had been driving at over 75mph 4 seconds before the collision occurred.  Her vehicle had left the carriageway to the nearside verge and subsequently impacted the tree.  She had held her full driving licence since 24 March 2025.

In her subsequent police interview, Lonsdale stated that she knew the road and that believed she had been doing around 45mph.  She was also unable to explain why her wheels had come off the road.  The investigation concluded that Lonsdale’s driving, speed and inexperience were responsible for the collision. 

The families of George and Harrison said:

“We recognise the sentence of the court, but the reality is that no sentence will ever bring our beloved sons back to us. 

“Madeleine alone knows why she chose to drive at over 75mph in the dark on an unlit country lane.  She will have to live with the fact that she is responsible for taking the lives of our boys, who had placed their trust in her to get them to their destination safely. 

“As parents, we therefore implore all young drivers to take care when driving and to remember their personal responsibility for ensuring the safety of themselves, their passengers and others around them.  Whilst we now wish for privacy after a long and difficult journey, we just hope that others never have to face the despair that is ahead of us.” 

Detective Sergeant Adam Doona, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision  was down to the speed and inexperience of Madeleine Lonsdale.  Tragically, as a result of her driving, friends who should have been celebrating starting the next stage of their lives are no longer with us.

“When someone obtains their full driving licence, they need to remember that this is purely the start of their driving career.  A lack of experience and failing to drive according to the rules of the road in this case, will leave an indelible mark on all those involved for the rest of their lives.” 

Madeleine Lonsdale, 18 (Lincolnshire Police)