RYAN TURNER FROM LUDWORTH INVOLVED IN FATAL CRASH NEAR DURHAM DURING DOMESTIC ABUSE INCIDENT

A tragic incident resulted in the unlawful death of Lyndsey Watkins, a 31-year-old woman, during a domestic abuse episode that culminated in a car crash near Durham. The incident took place in the early hours of September 5, 2021, at approximately 01:30 BST, along the A688 Bowburn bypass, close to a farm. Both Watkins and her partner, Ryan Turner, aged 27 and hailing from Ludworth, lost their lives in the aftermath of the collision.

According to the findings of an inquest led by assistant coroner Crispin Oliver, Ryan Turner was driving the BMW at an excessively high speed while under the influence of drugs. The inquest revealed that Turner had deliberately prevented Watkins from leaving the vehicle just before the crash. Witnesses and evidence indicated that Turner made an inexplicable and unnecessary right turn, which was described as reckless and dangerous. Despite attempts to brake, Turner failed to do so, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and crash.

During the incident, Turner sustained blunt force head injuries, which contributed to his death, classified as a result of the road traffic collision. Watkins, who was from Hartlepool and resided in Horden near Peterlee, was unable to escape the vehicle and did not regain consciousness after the crash. She died shortly thereafter. It was noted that she had tried to exit the vehicle immediately before the collision but was physically prevented from doing so by Turner. Throughout the ordeal, Watkins was described as being fearful and under the control of Turner, which was consistent with ongoing domestic abuse where Turner was identified as the primary perpetrator.

The coroner concluded that Watkins was unlawfully killed due to head and chest injuries sustained during the crash. He emphasized that Turner owed her a duty of care, which he grossly neglected, making the risk of her death reasonably foreseeable. The misconduct was characterized as grossly negligent, highlighting the severity of Turner’s actions.

Watkins’ family issued a heartfelt statement expressing that she was a