Karla Dodds, drunk bar worker who killed a friend in a crash has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. 25-year-old former boarding school student, was convicted of causing the death of Truman Hub in November 2022 by dangerous driving.
The fatal accident occurred when Dodds, who had been drinking and was highly intoxicated, crammed six passengers into her small Hyundai i10 and drove recklessly.
The tragedy unfolded when Mr. Hub, one of the passengers, stuck his head out of the car window moments before Dodds lost control and crashed into a lamppost, flipping the car over. Instead of seeking help, Dodds fled the scene, leaving her friend fatally injured.
A Pattern of Reckless Behavior
Karla Dodds’ history of dangerous driving and substance abuse played a crucial role in her conviction. Almost exactly two years before the fatal accident, she had been involved in another deadly crash as a passenger, an experience that should have served as a warning.
However, rather than learning from the past, Dodds continued her reckless behavior. Just two years after surviving the earlier accident, she was stopped by the police for speeding and was found to be twice over the limit for cannabis. Her lack of regard for the law and for the safety of others ultimately led to the tragic loss of Truman Hub’s life.
On the night of the crash, Dodds had been working at a bar in Whitley Bay before heading to a nightclub, where she consumed alcohol. Despite drinking two glasses of wine and two tequila shots, she decided to drive, offering to take her friends to a party.
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Her decision to overload her small vehicle with six passengers, including one person in the boot, further demonstrated her reckless nature. Witnesses recounted that the atmosphere in the car was chaotic, with passengers singing loudly and one of them even pleading with Dodds to slow down. Her failure to heed these warnings resulted in a horrific accident that claimed the life of her 22-year-old school friend.
The Aftermath and Legal Consequences
After the crash, Karla Dodds displayed a shocking lack of remorse. Instead of calling for medical assistance or staying to help, she ran away, leaving behind the scene of devastation. When she was later arrested, police footage showed her repeatedly asking, “Who’s dead?”
Her actions spoke volumes about her self-centeredness and unwillingness to take responsibility for her reckless behavior. A breath test conducted at the time of her arrest revealed that she was twice over the legal alcohol limit.
The trial at Newcastle Crown Court provided overwhelming evidence of Dodds’ guilt. Judge Roger Thomas KC, who presided over the case, highlighted her dangerous actions, stating that she was “highly intoxicated,” driving too fast, and had ignored the pleas of her passengers.
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Her previous conviction for drug driving further illustrated her pattern of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. The judge emphasized that Dodds’ actions showed “self-pity rather than true remorse.”
In addition to her 12-year prison sentence, she was banned from driving for 13 years and nine months, ensuring that she would be unable to endanger others on the road again.
A Family’s Grief and a Community’s Warning
The tragic loss of Truman Hub has left his family and friends devastated. His mother, Rozalind Hub, delivered a powerful victim impact statement in court, describing her son as a joyful and loving person who brightened any room he entered.
She condemned Karla Dodds’ decision to flee the scene as “wicked and cowardly,” expressing her deep sorrow and anger over the avoidable nature of her son’s death. She also noted the bitter irony that Dodds had previously survived a fatal crash and yet failed to change her ways, ultimately causing another tragedy.
Outside the courtroom, Sergeant Dave Roberts, who led the police investigation, warned against the dangers of driving under the influence. He stressed that Dodds’ reckless actions had cost a young man his life and shattered countless others.
He pointed out that even while awaiting trial for causing Truman Hub’s death, Dodds was caught drug driving again, showing a complete disregard for the consequences of her actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of impaired driving.
Dodds’ story is one of reckless decisions, disregard for the law, and a tragic loss that could have been prevented. Her sentencing brings some closure to the grieving family, but nothing can undo the pain of losing a loved one.
The case highlights the urgent need for greater awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence and the importance of making responsible choices behind the wheel. One moment of poor judgment can result in irreversible consequences, and in this case, it cost a young man his life.