A tragic collision on December 13, 2025, claimed the lives of Pete D’Arcy, 57, and Robbie Kenneth Diffey, 24, after Diffey, driving at 92 mph under the influence of cannabis and alcohol, swerved into oncoming traffic while filming himself on his phone.
The crash occurred on the B3078 Cranborne Road in Dorset when Diffey’s Audi A4 crossed into the southbound lane, colliding head-on with D’Arcy’s Volkswagen T-Roc. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two months before the fatal crash, Diffey had been stopped by police and found driving under the influence of cannabis. Although Dorset Police recommended revoking his license, the process was delayed, and his driving privileges were only revoked after the crash. This delay has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of driving bans for drug-impaired drivers.
READ MORE: Third Arrest Made in Connection with Glastonbury Arson That Damaged Caravans and Tesco Store
READ MORE: Prince William’s Secret £1,000 Donation Breathes New Hope into Somerset Arms Pub Revival
At the inquest held on May 28, 2026, Coroner Rachael Griffin ruled that Pete D’Arcy was unlawfully killed, describing Diffey’s driving as “audacious and abhorrent.” Police also discovered an open bottle of Peroni between Diffey’s legs after the crash and found a Snapchat video showing him flashing his lights just moments before the collision.
Pete’s widow, Louise, expressed heartbreak over the incident and its aftermath on her family. She revealed that two of their three children, Lucy and Jack, now struggle with driving due to the trauma caused by losing their father in such tragic circumstances. Louise also emphasized the need for faster police action in revoking licenses of those caught driving under the influence to prevent similar incidents.
Louise recounted the moments leading up to the crash, explaining that Pete had dropped their son off just minutes before the accident. The devastating impact left their family shattered and highlighted the dangers of reckless driving under the influence, especially while distracted by mobile devices.
The Dorset Coroners’ Office confirmed that Diffey was driving at excessive speed, under the influence, and was using his mobile phone during the crash. This case underscores the lethal combination of speeding, substance impairment, and distracted driving, and the urgent need for measures to prevent such tragedies.