A disturbing case in the UK highlights the dangerous intersection of social media, reckless driving, and tragic consequences. Liberty Mitchell, now 21, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison on Friday, , after pleading guilty to multiple charges including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. The sentencing follows the release of footage obtained by Gloucestershire Police showing Mitchell, then 18, filming herself speeding and driving erratically on Snapchat just days before a fatal crash.
The incident, which occurred less than a month after Mitchell passed her driving test, resulted in the deaths of Octavian Codreanu, a taxi driver, and his passenger, Moyra Whelan. According to court documents, Mitchell was traveling at 96 mph in a 60 mph zone when the crash occurred in Gloucestershire. The released Snapchat videos, presented as evidence during the trial, demonstrate a clear disregard for road safety. One clip shows Mitchell veering onto the opposite side of the road, prompting shouts of concern from her passengers. Another depicts her driving at 100 mph on a country road.
This case isn’t isolated. Similar incidents involving Snapchat’s speed filter have surfaced in the United States, raising questions about the platform’s role in encouraging risky behavior. In 2016, Christal McGee, 19, was charged with reckless driving after allegedly using the speed filter while driving and subsequently rear-ending another vehicle. The driver, Wentworth Maynard, suffered severe and permanent brain damage as a result of the crash. McGee also posted a photo of her injuries on Snapchat following the collision.
Snapchat’s speed filter, introduced several years ago, functions by overlaying a speed reading onto a user’s video or photo while using the app’s camera. The feature gained popularity among teenagers who would compete to record the highest speeds, effectively gamifying dangerous driving. While Snapchat has removed the speed filter, the legacy of its influence on driver behavior remains a concern.
The legal ramifications of using such features while driving are complex. The McGee case, for example, led to a lawsuit not only against the driver but also against Snapchat itself, alleging that the platform contributed to the accident. A Georgia Supreme Court decision in 2022 allowed the victim of that crash to pursue a claim against Snapchat, potentially setting a precedent for holding social media companies accountable for user actions facilitated by their platforms. The court’s decision hinged on the argument that Snapchat had a duty to protect users from foreseeable harm.
The Mitchell case, like the McGee case, underscores the potential for social media to exacerbate dangerous behaviors. Police investigating Mitchell’s crash specifically analyzed her social media activity, uncovering the incriminating Snapchat videos that ultimately contributed to her conviction. The footage was described by police as demonstrating a “lack of care for driving safely.”
Beyond the legal consequences, the cases raise broader questions about the responsibility of social media platforms to mitigate risks associated with their features. While platforms are generally protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields them from liability for user-generated content, the line between platform and facilitator is becoming increasingly blurred, particularly when features actively encourage risky behavior. The Georgia Supreme Court’s decision in the McGee case suggests a willingness to explore the boundaries of this protection.
The technical aspect of these cases also highlights the challenges of attributing causation. While the Snapchat filter may have encouraged speeding, proving a direct link between the filter and the crash requires demonstrating that the driver would not have engaged in reckless driving without it. This is a difficult evidentiary hurdle, but the presence of the video footage in the Mitchell case provided compelling evidence of intent and reckless behavior.
The sentencing of Liberty Mitchell serves as a stark warning about the dangers of distracted and reckless driving, and the potential consequences of sharing that behavior on social media. It also reignites the debate about the responsibility of tech companies to design platforms that prioritize safety and discourage harmful activities. The legal battles surrounding Snapchat’s speed filter and similar features are likely to continue, shaping the future of social media liability and user safety.
Mitchell also pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, indicating the crash resulted in additional victims beyond the two fatalities. This detail further emphasizes the devastating impact of her actions and the far-reaching consequences of reckless driving.
