A 19-year-old driver’s casual remark about being too intoxicated to drive turned tragic as she lost control of her car, resulting in the death of her 17-year-old friend.
The incident took place in October 2021, but harrowing footage recently released by Derbyshire police sheds light on the ill-fated evening in England.
Melissa Keilloh, now 20, had been playing drinking games at a party and agreed to drive Phoebe Johnson, 17, and her cousin home. Before departing, someone asked Keilloh if she felt capable of driving safely, to which she responded, “I’m messed up.”
Just 15 minutes into the journey, Keilloh was speeding at 72 mph on A514 when she hit a curb, causing the car to spin out of control and flip off the road. Phoebe was ejected from the vehicle and suffered critical injuries.
Upon discovering her friend’s lifeless body, Keilloh cried out, “I’ve killed Phoebe.” Phoebe, in immense pain, expressed her fear, while Keilloh tried to reassure her by claiming she was now sober.
The footage, captured on Keilloh’s dashcam, was released with Phoebe’s parents’ consent as part of a video warning against drunk driving. Phoebe’s mother, Nicola Johnson, emphasized the suddenness of life’s fragility, and the overwhelming grief it brought. Phoebe’s father, Paul Johnson, likened the events leading to the crash to a “runaway train nobody could get off.”
Testimonies from partygoers revealed that at first, the group had decided not to drive home but changed their minds moments later.
Keilloh pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was sentenced to three years in prison in January. Additionally, she was banned from driving for six and a half years.
Derbyshire Police released the story as part of their “Just a Second” campaign, urging residents to reconsider driving under the influence.