He was travelling at speeds up up to 85mph in a 30mph zone when he smashed into her car
13:14, 20 May 2026Updated 13:22, 20 May 2026
Dwayne Arney, 34.(Image: Devon & Cornwall Police)
A drug driver who killed a much-loved grandmother in a crash was on the wrong side of the road doing more than 50mph above the speed limit.
Dwayne Arney, 34, smashed into a car driven by 60-year-old Rosemary Wooldridge outside her home on Ham Drive, in Plymouth, on December 17, 2024. She tragically died at the scene from unsurvivable injuries.
Arney, of Middle Green in South Brent, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst unlicenced, causing death whilst uninsured and possession of a Class A drug..
Devon and Cornwall Police said he was jailed for 12 years and disqualified from driving for 18 years at Plymouth Crown Court on Wednesday, May 20.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard that before 5pm on December 17, Arney collected an Audi A4 Quattro he intended to buy.
He stopped to get fuel and then accelerated on Ham Drive which led to his passenger asking him to slow down.
Arney drove past a parked ambulance and was on the wrong side of the road when he crashed head-on with a Ford Fiesta driven by Rosemary.
She was driving home at the time and was pronounced deceased at the scene having suffered catastrophic injuries.
The speed of the Audi was calculated at between 81 and 85 mph in a 30 mph limit zone.
Dwayne Arney, 34.(Image: Devon & Cornwall Police)
After the crash, Arney fled the scene and was later arrested at his then-home more than two and a half hours away.
He attempted to “orally ingest a wrap of cocaine” that officers recovered during the arrest.
He was taken to hospital and was then discharged into police custody for interview.
A blood examination found him to be under the influence of a controlled drug.
The passenger in the vehicle didn’t suffer any significant injuries and a subsequent examination of the Audi found it not to be roadworthy.
Detective Sergeant Troy Bennett of the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, said: “This is one of the most egregious examples of dangerous driving I have encountered in my career.
“The defendant chose to drive at more than 80mph in a residential street, while impaired by drugs, without a licence or insurance, and then fled the scene after causing a fatal collision.
“His actions showed a complete disregard for the law and for human life and tragically resulted the wholly avoidable death of Rosemary Wooldridge. I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice for the victim’s family.
“I would also like to thank Rosemary’s family for agreeing to the release of CCTV footage of this devastating collision.
“While the footage is distressing to watch, I hope it encourages anyone who risks driving while impaired to consider the potential consequences of their selfish actions and think twice before getting behind the wheel.”
Rosemary Wooldridge, 60.(Image: Devon & Cornwall Police)
Rosemary’s family paid an emotional tribute, saying: “Rosemary was the heart of our family, a devoted mum, a cherished daughter, a much-loved sister, a deeply adored nan, a treasured auntie, and a proud fiancée.
“She was full of warmth, mischief, and a love for life that made people feel instantly at ease. Her daft humour and her ability to bring people together were part of what made her so special, not just to us but to the many friends she made throughout her life.
“She was a well-known and much-loved member of her local darts community, where her laughter, competitiveness, and big personality made her unforgettable. That community, like our family, is feeling her loss deeply.
“After years of working hard and putting everyone else first, Rosemary had finally reached a point where she could slow down and enjoy the moments she had missed. She was embracing the simple, important things, time with family, reconnecting with friends, and finding joy in the everyday.
“Our grief is made even heavier knowing she never had the chance to meet her first great grandchild, a moment she was so looking forward to and so deserving of.
“Losing her in such a sudden and devastating way has created a loss so large it is impossible to measure. The impact has rippled far beyond our immediate family, touching friends, neighbours, colleagues, and the many people whose lives she brightened simply by being herself.
“The space she leaves behind is vast. But her spirit, her kindness, her humour, her strength, and the love she gave so freely. will continue to echo through all of us who were lucky enough to know her.”