A MAN is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court today after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

David Taiwo, 26, of Halbutt Street in Dagenham, met two young women on a night out in Chelmsford on Saturday, July 31, 2021. 

After talking for 20 minutes, he offered to drive the pair home, saying that he “did it all the time” when they expressed some concerns.

When the two passengers were in the car, Taiwo began driving dangerously and at high speed, the court heard.

He drove the women a distance of about 3.3 miles through roadworks on the A138, Boreham, where road markings and cat’s eyes “clearly” indicated the road layout.

The speed limit on the carriageway during the roadworks was 40mph, and 30mph in some places.

The court heard Taiwo was driving at speeds of between 79mph and 93mph.

Joey Kwong, prosecuting, said that when one passenger questioned him about his speed, Taiwo said “I love to drive fast” and that he did it all the time.

His vehicle collided with a digger left by the roadworks, flipping multiple times before coming to rest on its roof.

Despite her seatbelt, the 24-year-old victim who was in the front passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Taiwo gave a fake name and 0.2g of cocaine to a witness who stopped to help, and officers who later accompanied him to hospital reported that his eyes were “glassy”.

Taiwo refused to take a drugs and alcohol test.

The other victim, who was in the back seat of the car, suffered serious injuries as well as the “trauma” of losing her best friend.

She is still receiving treatment for her arm and back three years later.

In her victim impact statement, she wrote: “I don’t even know where to start trying to explain how much of an impact this has had on my life.

“I can’t explain how much I miss her.”

She sees carers daily and is “depressed” about being unable to work.

“I have no choice but to live with this for the rest of my life,” she added.

Taiwo has admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and possessing a controlled class A drug.

His Honour Judge Christopher Morgan will resume the sentencing this morning.