Drink driver jailed over fatal A602 crash
A woman in her 50s was killed and a woman in her 60s was seriously injured
A drink driver who killed one woman and seriously injured another while driving under the influence of alcohol has been jailed for over nine years.
Razvan Balasoiu, now aged 26, was involved in the fatal collision on the A602 in November 2023.
Balasoiu was charged on 27 February 2025, he attended Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 19 March 2025 and then St Albans Crown on 16 April where he entered a guilty plea to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Balasoiu killed one woman aged in her 50s, who died at the scene, and seriously injured another aged in her 60s, whilst driving dangerously under the influence of alcohol.
The crash happened on the A602 between Stevenage and Hitchin on the 12th of November 2023.
Balasoiu failed to notice the road changing from a dual carriageway into a single laned road and struck a silver Toyota Corolla travelling in the same direction.
The force with which his vehicle struck the Corella, caused it to spin out of control onto the opposite carriageway where it hit another vehicle, which resulted in the driver spending a significant number of months in hospital being treated for serious injuries.
Detective Constable Felicity Walker from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This is a tragic case. As a direct result of Balasoiu’s driving, which was at speed, in wet conditions, under the influence of alcohol, three families have been affected.
“My thoughts remain with Mrs Hemmings’ family who have suffered the loss of a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister and a friend. I also want to pay attention to Mrs Heritage, and her family, as she is still recovering from the horrific life-changing injuries she sustained as a result of this collision.
“Drink drive and speeding are two of the fatal four, and we will never tolerate such reckless behaviour on our roads. Balasoiu will now have to serve a prison sentence, where I hope he reflects on his decision making which led to this needless and avoidable tragedy.”