Banned driver high on drugs kills girlfriend in 136mph wrong-way crash after police chase

Key facts

• Kane Farragher, 24, admitted causing death by dangerous driving of Taylor Jenkins, 24.
• Farragher drove wrong way down A19 near Sunderland on 1 March, crashing into a taxi.
• He reached speeds of up to 136mph (219 km/h) during police pursuit.
• Blood sample showed he was excessively over legal limits for cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and ketamine.
• Farragher was already banned from driving, having received a four-year ban in 2023.
• Crash occurred near Nissan factory, about 7 miles from where pursuit started.
• He was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months and given a 13.5-year driving ban.
• Northumbria Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A fatal flight from police

Kane Farragher, a 24-year-old banned driver from Birkenhead, Merseyside, was high on a cocktail of drugs when he led police on a high-speed chase through Tyneside in the early hours of 1 March. His BMW M135, triggered by an automatic camera notification as a vehicle of interest to Police Scotland, was spotted by Northumbria Police officers on the Felling bypass in Gateshead. When they attempted to stop the car, Farragher drove into a coned-off section of the carriageway and sped away to avoid being boxed in. Reaching speeds of up to 136mph (219 km/h), he evaded the pursuit, which was called off when he headed the wrong way down the A19. Moments later, near the Nissan factory, he collided head-on with a taxi. The impact killed his girlfriend, Taylor Jenkins, 24, who was in the front passenger seat. A rear passenger also suffered skull and rib fractures.

A cocktail of drugs and a shameless bribe

A blood sample taken after the crash revealed that Farragher was excessively over the legal limits for cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and ketamine. Some readings showed he was several times over the legal limits, the court heard. Farragher, who held his head in his hands for much of the sentencing via video link from prison, had been disqualified from driving in 2023 and had a previous conviction for dangerous driving involving stolen motorbikes. In a bizarre attempt to avoid responsibility, Farragher denied being the driver during a police interview. Sergeant Dave Roberts said he "even went as far as trying to shamelessly offer money to the officer detaining him, in a ridiculous attempt to get out of the situation."

Judge condemns 'most dangerous driving one can imagine'

At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Penny Moreland described Farragher's actions as a "lengthy course of the most dangerous driving one can imagine." She said he made a "deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road" and showed "complete disregard" for the danger to others. The judge sentenced Farragher to 12 years and 9 months in prison and imposed a 13-and-a-half-year driving ban. The court heard that the couple were travelling with friends to Newcastle for an event that night. Victim impact statements described Ms Jenkins, from Edinburgh, as a "loving, hard-working" young woman with her life ahead of her. Her father said her loss was "beyond anything I can bear," and her sister Ellis Jenkins added that "the impact of losing her is something I will carry with me forever."

The pursuit and crash timeline

The chase began when Northumbria Police attempted to stop Farragher's BMW on the Felling bypass in Gateshead. He drove into a coned-off section and sped away, reaching speeds of up to 136mph. The pursuit was abandoned when he drove the wrong way onto the A19. The crash occurred near the Nissan factory, approximately seven miles (11km) from where the pursuit started and one mile (1.6km) from where he joined the A19. Prosecutors said Farragher had only recently joined the A19 after a dangerous drive through Tyneside. The fatal impact happened moments after he entered the wrong carriageway. The court heard that the blood sample taken after the crash showed he was excessively over the legal limits for multiple drugs.

Police condemn 'truly shocking' drug levels

After sentencing, Northumbria Police condemned Farragher's actions, describing the drugs in his system as "truly shocking" and saying he should never have been behind the wheel. The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is continuing its investigation into the pursuit and the circumstances leading to the crash. The case highlights the dangers of drug-impaired driving and the tragic consequences that can result from evading police. Farragher's previous driving ban and conviction for dangerous driving underscore a pattern of reckless behavior that ultimately cost a young woman her life.

A life cut short and a family's grief

Taylor Jenkins, 24, from Edinburgh, was described by her family as a loving and hard-working young woman with her entire future ahead of her. Her father's victim impact statement spoke of a loss "beyond anything I can bear," while her sister expressed that the impact of losing her would be carried forever. The couple had been travelling with friends to Newcastle for an event when the tragedy unfolded. Farragher's friend in the back seat was also badly injured in the collision. The court heard that Farragher, who held his head in his hands throughout the sentencing, had denied being the driver to police. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of road safety.

The bottom line

• Kane Farragher was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months for causing the death of Taylor Jenkins by dangerous driving.
• He was driving at up to 136mph on the wrong side of the A19 while under the influence of cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and ketamine.
• Farragher was already banned from driving and had a prior conviction for dangerous driving.
• The crash occurred near the Nissan factory, seven miles from where the police pursuit began.
• Northumbria Police referred the case to the IOPC for investigation.
• Taylor Jenkins' family described her loss as unbearable, highlighting the human cost of the tragedy.