Motorist ‘killed’ teen star as TV stunt adds to victim’s family’s rage | UK | News

The driver who caused the death of his young actress passenger has left the victim’s family even more furious after starring in a fly-on-the-wall spectacle about the fatal crash. Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard university graduate Abbey Ridgway, 26, left passenger Rosa Taylor, 19, with multiple fatal injuries when she left a road junction and veered into the path of a tipper truck.

But Bristol, Ridgway and her injured boyfriend Aaron Ormesher, who was later treated at Southmead Hospital, allowed a TV crew to film them for an episode of ’24/7 Emergency’ without the knowledge of Rosa’s grieving family. Taxi driver and distraught father Gareth Taylor said they only learned of the scheme nine months later after Ridgway admitted causing the teenager’s death by careless driving.

In court he reprimanded Ridgway for his involvement, as he was banned from driving for two years and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work for his role in Rosa’s death.

He said: “I don’t know all the details of what will be shown but it looks like the background to the crash and Rosa’s death will be told.

“Although this may seem public, I feel that consenting to this is insensitive to myself, Rosa’s family and friends, and has already created an additional and unnecessary burden of stress. And this is before the program has aired.”

The tragedy struck on July 24, 2025, after Rosa, who had received a place and a scholarship to attend a prestigious drama school in London, was taken to Corsham Library near Swindon, Wiltshire, by Ridgway and her boyfriend Aaron Ormesher to star in the musical theater production Scrumptious!

The court heard Ridgway did not appear to be in good shape when he left a side street in his Hyundai i10 and turned into the path of a Skania HGV traveling along the A4 Bathroom Road.

The truck driver had no chance of avoiding the collision and crashed into the side of the Hyundai. Rosa was in the backseat, not wearing a seatbelt, and died at the scene from her injuries. Mr. Ormesher, who was in the front passenger seat, suffered serious life-changing injuries.

Mr Taylor, of Upholland, Lancashire, told the hearing: “The timing of Rosa’s death was difficult to process when she was literally on top of the world with so much on her plate.

“It’s heartbreaking to know that she never got to realize the dreams her talent truly deserved. I’m sure Abbey had no intention of causing the accident, and I’m sure she’s very sorry.”

“But what really plays out in my mind is that I only approved Rosa going to Wiltshire for the demonstrations around Aaron’s driving because I know he is a relatively experienced driver.”

“Abbey, on the other hand, had passed her test within 12 months of this incident and was inexperienced. “I would never approve of an inexperienced driver driving Rosa around.

“I feel (Abbey) was clearly under pressure in this driving situation and this unfortunately led to him making a terrible decision at the intersection.”

“I am also extremely disappointed that neither of the insured drivers forced Rosa to wear a seatbelt. I understand that it was her responsibility to do so and it is difficult to know why she chose not to do so.”

“But we know Aaron was wearing a seat belt and suffered life-threatening injuries. So the truth is we don’t know what difference wearing a seat belt made.”

The court previously heard that Ridgway, of Skelmersdale, faces up to three years in prison under sentencing rules.

Prosecutor Heather Bell said: “It could be argued that driving at the junction was dangerous. “He looked one way, perhaps not the other, and went directly in front of the tipper truck.

“All eyewitnesses confirmed that the truck driver was so close to the intersection that it was not possible for him to avoid the collision.”

Ridgway’s lawyer, Fraser Livesey, insisted his client had passed his driving test “some time before” the crash.

He said: “This is appalling. “To be clear, there was already a camera crew there when Mr Ormesher was taken to hospital and he was in no position to give consent or do anything else.

“The surgeons allowed the camera crew to be involved, and after a few days or a few weeks he was able to give his consent.

“He chose to do this out of respect for the way he was treated. This was Mr. Ormesher, as was his right, and had nothing to do with Ms. Ridgway.”

Mr Livesey added: “Ms Ridgway was willing to accept full responsibility, both during police interview and despite admitting her guilt, and expressed remorse on numerous occasions.

“Rosa was a good friend of Ms. Ridgway, which makes it even worse.”

Ridgway was also given a 12-month community sentence and told to pay £199 in costs and a surcharge.

District Judge Jack McGarva told her: “You were using a potentially lethal weapon and a young woman who had a very exciting life ahead of her never got to see that happen.

“You have to take responsibility for killing someone for the rest of your life.”

Described by her family as a natural performer “from birth”, Rosa grew up performing leading roles at the Artz Center in Skelmersdale and studied musical theater at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

She has performed in productions such as Legally Blonde: The Musical with Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre, and recently also performed at Liverpool Playhouse.

He had secured a place at Trinity Laban Conservatorium in London and was due to start his course in September 2025.