A driver’s reckless speeding on a birthday trip led to a dad’s death and severe injuries to his daughter.
The Hain family gathered in Northumberland for a 60th birthday celebration. Some of them went to Kielder Forest for a walk. A speeding driver changed everything on their way, turning their happy occasion into tragedy.
Owen Rutherford sped along the A68, aggressively overtaking other cars. He drove at least 85mph over a blind hill. David Hain pulled out at a junction, and Rutherford’s car crashed into him with devastating force.
David Hain, 69, died in the crash. His daughter Megan, 25, suffered severe brain damage, leaving her unable to communicate and requiring constant care in a specialized facility. David’s wife, Phillipa, was also seriously hurt, and the family dog, Millie, also perished in the accident.
Prosecutors emphasized that the crash occurred during a joyful family event. They had traveled to Northumberland for a birthday celebration, staying together in a barn and exploring the surrounding area. The gathering was meant to create cherished memories, not become the source of enduring pain.
On October 1, 2023, the family planned a forest walk, using two cars for transportation. David Hain drove the second car, carrying his wife, daughter, another family member, and their dog. Their route took them along a road where tragedy would soon strike.
Both cars drove to the A68 junction, a spot with poor visibility due to the steep incline of the road creating a blind spot for oncoming traffic. This hazardous condition contributed to the events that unfolded, making the junction a danger for unsuspecting drivers.
The lead car’s driver witnessed Rutherford speeding and swerving back after overtaking, raising immediate concerns about the car following behind, driven by Hain. The driver’s apprehension foreshadowed the disaster that was about to unfold just moments later.
Hain’s car barely crossed the road’s center line when Rutherford’s car collided with it. The impact was so severe that it sheared Hain’s seatbelt, ejecting him onto the grass. The force of the collision highlighted the extreme speed and recklessness of Rutherford’s driving.
Hain had no chance to see Rutherford approaching. He suffered multiple critical injuries, succumbing to them two days later without ever regaining consciousness. The loss was immediate and devastating, robbing the family of a beloved husband, father, and friend.
Megan, seated behind her father, sustained severe brain damage along with fractures and organ damage. Her injuries require lifelong care. Phillipa suffered broken ribs and facial bones. The other passenger in the car fractured their neck. The injuries inflicted were wide-ranging and life-altering for multiple victims.
Other drivers who witnessed Rutherford passing them described his driving as reckless. One man even warned that Rutherford was going to kill someone, a chilling premonition uttered just before the crash occurred. These testimonies painted a clear picture of Rutherford’s dangerous behavior.
Prosecutors argued that Rutherford disregarded traffic laws, placing others at extreme risk. He attempted to overtake multiple vehicles at an unsafe speed, despite knowing the road well, and they also suspected the influence of cocaine played a role. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for public safety.
Rutherford initially told police he was driving home for lunch and claimed he was within the speed limit. He claimed he saw Hain pulling out and braked, saying the ABS system on his vehicle failed. His initial statements attempted to downplay his role in the tragic events.
Rutherford sustained only minor injuries. However, tests revealed the presence of cocaine byproducts in his system. While he didn’t admit to driving under the influence, police still considered it a factor, given that he was driving at least 85 mph at the time of the crash. This circumstantial evidence strengthened the case against him.
Following the crash, police initially released Rutherford. He was later apprehended for drink-driving after police stopped his van in Hexham when his passenger made an offensive gesture towards them. He received a 12-month driving ban after the second incident, compounding the previous tragedy.
Phillipa Hain described the crash as completely changing their lives. The car crash profoundly affected everyone involved. Their dog Millie died instantly, marking a permanent loss and adding to their grief.
Upon waking up after the crash, she discovered her husband was dead and her daughter injured. She had lost her husband of 27 years, and the business she co-owned with David had to close. Now she faces the responsibility of caring for Megan indefinitely. The ripple effects of the tragedy extended into every aspect of her life.
Megan was vibrant. Her life got snatched away. Cruelly, she’s now in a care home, requiring assistance with all daily functions and showing no visible responses. Phillipa holds onto the hope that she may regain some independence in the future, clinging to a glimmer of possibility amidst despair.
David’s brother, Alistair, described the crash as devastating, directly attributing it to Rutherford’s selfish actions. He emphasized that Rutherford drove dangerously and under the influence contributing to the tragic outcome. Alistair clearly assigned responsibility for the events and resulting suffering.
He explained that Megan is now unable to speak, express happiness, or indicate if she’s in pain. He hopes that Rutherford will reflect on the profound consequences of his actions and recognize the extent of the suffering he caused. The permanency of Megan’s condition serves as a constant reminder of their loss.
Mr. Hain expressed his shock and disgust at Rutherford’s subsequent drink-driving offense. If Rutherford demonstrates genuine remorse, he would be open to restorative justice as a pathway toward achieving some closure. He wants Rutherford to acknowledge and comprehend the magnitude of the damage he inflicted.
David’s sister, Susie, said she can’t forget the trauma of the crash. She held her dying brother’s hand in his final moments. She said her mother was happy to have the family around, the crash left her distraught. Everyone directly or indirectly associated with the family was irrevocably touched by this horrendous experience.
Rutherford, 25, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury. He received a prison sentence of eleven years and four months, along with a 19-year driving ban. While the sentence provides some measure of accountability, it doesn’t erase the pain or undo the damage inflicted.
He told a probation officer that he had been rushing to get home for lunch when the tragedy occurred. This explanation minimized the gravity of his actions, focusing on a mundane reason instead of acknowledging his dangerous behavior that led to the destruction of a family.
His lawyer argued that Rutherford is remorseful and deeply regrets his actions, adding that his well-being is fragile and he acknowledges that he will live with the consequences. He claimed that there was insufficient proof that drugs impaired Rutherford’s driving at the time of the crash. Despite potential legal arguments, the tragedy continues and it is irreversible.