Deadly Crash: Driver Jailed for Causing Two Deaths in Romford Pile-Up
Paul Ballard, 39, from Brentwood, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on August 11 after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He also received an 11½-year driving ban.
Horrific Romford Crash Leaves Two Dead
The chaos unfolded at 1.15pm on February 20, 2020, on Squirrels Heath Road, Romford. Ballard’s black Volkswagen Golf crashed into pedestrians and seven other vehicles in a terrifying collision.
Emergency services – including police, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, and London’s Air Ambulance – rushed to the scene.
Two Victims and Multiple Injuries
- Eileen Moria Haskell, 64, a passenger in one of the cars, was killed.
- Richard Trezise, 48, a pedestrian standing with family nearby, was also fatally injured.
- Six others were hospitalised but later discharged.
- The crash damaged seven vehicles and injured ten people overall.
Reckless Driving Behind the Tragedy
Court heard Ballard’s Golf slammed into the rear of Eileen Haskell’s vehicle so hard it was lofted onto another car. The Golf then spun through a bus stop, striking Richard Trezise before crashing into a front garden.
Ballard was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and charged accordingly.
Detective Inspector Julie Trodden of the Roads and Transport Policing Command said: “This horrific collision, involving multiple vehicles, occurred from Ballard’s sheer reckless and selfish driving.
“His actions that afternoon were totally unnecessary and have taken two people’s lives, causing unimaginable sorrow to two families.
“My deepest sympathies remain with Eileen and Richard’s families.”
