Teenager Sentenced Over Fatal Crash

The driver of a car involved in a collision which killed 17-year-old Esther Walters has been handed a 12-month suspended sentence for causing death by driving without due care and attention.

Richard Hadler from Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge, was driving a Vauxhall Corsa carrying front seat passenger Esther and a 17-year-old friend in the back when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed along the B3078 at Godshill on June 9th, 2011.

Esther, from Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, suffered life threatening injuries and was taken to Salisbury District Hospital where she died the following evening.

The 17-year-old male back seat passenger sustained serious spinal injuries but survived.

Hadler, now 19, pleaded guilty to the charge at Southampton Crown Court on February 27.

He returned on March the 21st where he was sentenced to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid community service and a five year driving ban.

Sgt Darren Ord said:

“This was an extremely tragic, completely avoidable incident which has affected the lives of three young people – cutting one painfully short - and their families.

“This is another reminder that young drivers in particular need to drive carefully or they too may find themselves in circumstances similar to this terrible incident.”