Drunk driver was speeding at 94mph before crash that killed four Essex University students

ITV News

18-07-2025

A drink driver twice the legal limit was travelling at speeds of nearly 100mph moments before a fatal crash that killed him and his three passengers, an inquest has heard.
Essex University students Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony "TJ" Hibbert, 24, and Daljang Wol, 22, all died when their car hit a building in Magdalen Street in Colchester at 4.40am on 1 February.
An inquest held in Chelmsford heard that investigators assessed the black Ford Focus was travelling at least 94 miles per hour in a 30mph zone in the moments before the crash.
The inquest was also told that Makyle Bayley, the driver of the car, had a blood alcohol level two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit when he died.
Sgt James Lee, a forensic collision investigator, told the inquest that this meant there was a strong possibility that Mr Bayley may have been suffering the effects of intoxication at the time of the collision.
He added, under questioning from the coroner, that alcohol could lead to an 'inability to make sound decisions,' and said that excessive speed had been a 'massive factor' in causing the crash.
The court heard that the four University of Essex students had been at a nightclub in the town centre, which they left in the early hours of Saturday morning before getting into the car just after 4.30am.
Footage captured from the Cut and Coffee barbers on Magdalen Street, showed the vehicle pass by at speed moments before the crash.
PC Fiona Rayner, from Essex Police, said the car travelled 'at speed' up Magdalen Street before hitting a residential building and rolling over.
The coroner read out a witness statement from a taxi driver who saw the crash, describing the Ford Focus as travelling 'really fast...I would suggest over 100mph.'
He added that the car had begun 'swerving in the road' in the moments leading up to the crash. A pathologist later concluded that all had suffered severe head trauma, as well as other significant injuries.
Offering his condolences to the family members gathered at the start of proceedings, Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes suggested the hearing was likely the most attended in the history of the Essex Coroner's Court.
'I don't lose track for a moment how tragic the loss of these four lives is to you,' he said.
'I hope that the proceedings today do not reopen any wounds; I hope that the process today might help with the grieving process,' he added.
He read pen portraits of the four students, written by their families, in which they described their loved ones.
Concluding, Mr Brookes said that the car had been driven at 'grossly excessive speed,' by an 'intoxicated' Mr Bayley, assessing that all four deaths would have been 'almost instantaneous'.
He recorded all four deaths as caused by a road traffic collision.
"I can only echo what all of you have said about the huge hole in all of your lives that the passing of these three young people must have left," the coroner said.
"One can only describe this as a tragic loss of four young, lively, ambitious people," he said. "It is truly tragic."
Families' tributes to four students
Makyle Bayley was described as having a 'heart full of love.' He was a 'truly remarkable young man whose light and energy touched all who knew him,' his family wrote, praising his 'boundless curiosity and passion.'
A talented basketball player, the 22-year-old 'led by example, setting a standard for his peers both on and off the court,' the inquest heard.
'In such a short time, he achieved so much.'
Daljang Wol, known to friends as DJ, was a 'bright, talented and caring individual.' His family said he was a talented sportsman, with a 'deep passion' for basketball, representing a number of teams in London and Essex.
They said he was 'deeply passionate about helping others grow, committed to leaving a lasting impact where he went.'
His family described the 22-year-old as a 'constant source of joy, always bringing laughter and life to those around him,' who had been studying for a masters at the University of Essex after winning a scholarship.
Anthony "TJ" Hibbert had a 'special bond with his mum,' his family said. 'He was the kind of person who stood on his principles and wanted others to see the good in the world.'
They described a creative, passionate person, who 'wanted to be successful, wanted to do things the right way' and was 'persistent' with his love for basketball.
'TJ has played an important role in our lives - he knew how to live life to the fullest,' they concluded. 'He will forever hold a special place in our hearts.'
Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, was a 'sweetheart', her family said, who was 'always smiling'.
They said she had a 'calm and kind soul,' and was 'very happy shaping her future,' at the University of Essex. They added that she had a passion for dance, and was 'looking to travel the world'.
'There are no words to describe our despair, and our pain,' they concluded.