Pair Jailed Over Natasha Carruthers' Death

Two men have been jailed for causing the death of mother of one Natasha Carruthers during a high speed car chase in 2017.

The 23 year-old lost her life when the car she was in hit a tree near Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, on Sunday 07 October 2017.

Nathan Phair from Co Fermanagh was fleeing along public roads in a twelve mile pursuit from Pagraig Toher from Co Cavan after a failed drug deal the night before, when Nathan took money for cocaine but failed to supply Padraig with the drugs.

Between them the pair, both aged 29, will serve 23 years in prison.

Phair, was found guilty of a number of driving and drugs related offences, including causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison at Laganside Crown Court today, Friday 22 October.

Meanwhile, Toher was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to a number of offences, including manslaughter.

Speeds of 100 miles per hour were reached in the crash that killed Natasha, whose daughter was just one year-old at the time.

Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan said: "On that fateful night in October 2017, Padraig Toher and Nathan Phair made a deliberate and conscious decision to drive two cars along public roads in a completely reckless manner.

"The actions of these two men put the lives of their passengers at risk, as well as the lives of other road users who were in the vicinity of the pursuit at the relevant time. The recklessness of their actions tragically resulted in a collision which claimed the life of young Natasha, who was a passenger in Nathan's car and suffered horrific injuries following the collision."

Natasha was a much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece.

"Her family's lives have been ruined by the actions of Nathan and Pardaig," DCI Corrigan continued.

"Since the incident, Padraig Toher has shown remorse for his actions but Nathan has continually refused to accept any responsibility for Natasha's death, claiming that he had no option but to speed in order to get away from Toher. Throughout the investigation it was clear that Phair felt no remorse for the fact that his actions killed a young mother. Shortly after the crash he even boasted in social media messages that he would be likely to get a claim out of his injuries and Disability Living Allowance 'DLA'.

"Whilst these men have now been jailed for their role in Natasha's death, her family have to live with their loss forever. These two men have caused immeasurable damage and Natasha's little girl will have to grow up without her Mother. I hope that this truly tragic case provides a clear message to those who drive dangerously on the roads – the consequences can be beyond comprehension. Do you want to be responsible for taking someone's life and ruining the lives of their family in the process? Do you want to be behind bars?"



(JG/CM)