Suspect Charged Over Fatal A66 Crash in Cumbria, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• Man faces charges following fatal A66 crash where two passengers died in a crash in Cumbria.
• Kevin Hooton, 42, from no fixed address, faces charges of causing the death of Marty Roberts, 34, and Abby Storey, 35.
• The crash involved an Audi A3 and a Ford Focus on the A66 at Twenty Road, near Workington.
• The accident occurred around 6.30pm on 12 July last year.
• Hooton is charged with causing the death of two people through dangerous driving on two occasions.
• He is further charged with causing serious injury to Andrew Holding.
• Other charges include causing death by dangerous driving, uninsured and disqualified from driving.
• Marty Roberts and Abby Storey were found dead at the scene of the crash.
• Both drivers sustained serious injuries in the crash and were admitted to hospitals.
• On Monday, Kevin Hooton made his first appearance at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
• Family and friends described the victims as very caring and much loved people.

Liverpool Crime (Liverpool standard) October 5, 2026 — A suspect has been charged over a fatal A66 crash in Cumbria in which Liverpool man Marty Roberts and Workington mother-of-three Abby Storey died.

According to the Liverpool Echo report, Kevin Hooton, 42, of no fixed abode, is alleged to have caused the deaths of Mr Roberts, 34, and Ms Storey, 35, in a two-car collision last year.

The crash happened at approximately 6.30pm on 12 July on the A66 at Twenty Road, near Workington. The vehicles involved were an Audi A3 and a Ford Focus. Mr Roberts and Ms Storey were both front-seat passengers in the cars and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The case has now moved into criminal proceedings following the charges against Hooton. The allegations have not been proven, and Hooton remains entitled to a fair trial.

What charges does Kevin Hooton face?

Hooton is accused of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. The charge sheets state that he was driving the silver Audi involved in the crash.

He is also charged with causing serious injury to Andrew Holding. The report does not provide further details about the nature of Mr Holding’s injuries, but it states that the charge relates to the same collision.

In addition, Hooton faces allegations of causing death by dangerous driving while uninsured and while disqualified from driving. These charges concern the circumstances in which the Audi was allegedly being driven at the time of the crash.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Hooton appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing on Monday. The report does not state the outcome of that hearing or provide details of any further court date.

The charges are allegations at this stage. Any contested facts will need to be considered through the criminal justice process.

Who were Marty Roberts and Abby Storey?

Marty Roberts was a 34-year-old man from Liverpool who worked as a railway maintenance worker. Family and friends described him as a much-loved person whose character had made a lasting impression on those around him.

A friend remembered Mr Roberts as a “beautiful, unique soul who was loved by many”, according to the Liverpool Echo. The friend also said that he had touched many people through his warmth and humour.

Mr Roberts was also described as a “cherished soul” who had affected the lives of those around him with his “unique quirky sense of humour and his calm and collective nature”.

The tributes portrayed him as someone valued for his personality, kindness and ability to bring comfort and happiness to others. The descriptions also highlighted the impact of his death on his family, friends and wider community.

Abby Storey was 35 and lived in Workington. She worked as a sales assistant and was a mother of three children.

Her family described her as a “proud and adoring mother to her three beautiful children, in whom her memory will live on every day”. They said her children were central to her life and that she was remembered with deep affection by those who knew her.

Ms Storey’s family also spoke about her lively personality. They said: “Her energy was unmatched, from her wild dance moves to her passion for karaoke, she brought laughter and joy wherever she went.”

They added that, although her life had been cut short, she had lived with “incredible spirit, ambition and love”.

The tributes released after the crash focused on the separate lives of the two victims, while also showing the scale of the loss experienced by their relatives and friends.

What did the police and emergency services report?

The collision caused the A66 to close for several hours while emergency services dealt with the scene and investigations began.

Cumbria Police said that the drivers of the two cars were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The report does not identify the drivers or provide an update on their medical conditions.

The two passengers who died were later identified as Mr Roberts and Ms Storey. Their deaths were confirmed at the scene of the collision.

The road closure affected traffic on an important route near Workington. As with serious road collisions, officers would have had to secure the area, examine the vehicles and gather information about the circumstances leading up to the crash.

The Liverpool Echo reported that an inquest opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court in July. The inquest heard that Ms Storey and Mr Roberts suffered fatal chest injuries.

The opening of an inquest is part of the coronial process and is separate from the criminal prosecution. While an inquest examines who died, and how, criminal proceedings determine whether the accused is guilty of the offences alleged.

What has the court case established so far?

The court appearance represents the first stage of the criminal proceedings reported in the article. Hooton has been charged, but the available report does not say that he entered a plea or that the court reached any finding on the allegations.

The prosecution will need to prove the charges in court to the required legal standard. The charges relating to dangerous driving, insurance and disqualification concern serious allegations arising from the same incident.

The charge of causing serious injury to Andrew Holding is also connected to the crash. However, the published report gives no further information about Mr Holding’s condition or the precise circumstances of the alleged injury.

Further hearings may establish the timetable for the case, whether the charges are contested and whether the matter will proceed to a higher court. Until then, the allegations should not be treated as established facts.

Why is the A66 crash case significant?

The case has drawn attention because two people died in a single road collision and another person was seriously injured. It has also prompted scrutiny of the alleged circumstances in which the Audi was being driven.

The allegations that Hooton was uninsured and disqualified, alongside the dangerous-driving charges, are matters that the court will need to examine. Those allegations do not determine the outcome of the case, but they form part of the charges brought against him.

For the families of Mr Roberts and Ms Storey, the court proceedings follow a period of mourning and remembrance. The tributes published by the Liverpool Echo show how the victims were viewed by those closest to them.

Mr Roberts was remembered for his humour, calm nature and warmth. Ms Storey was remembered for her devotion to her children, her energy and the joy she brought to family and friends.

What happens next in the legal process?

The next stage will depend on the decisions made by the magistrates’ court and, if necessary, a higher court. A first hearing normally deals with procedural matters, including the charges, legal representation, bail and the future timetable.

The available report does not confirm whether Hooton was granted bail, whether conditions were imposed or when he is next due to appear. Those details may become available through subsequent court reporting.

Any future coverage should distinguish between facts established by the court, evidence presented during proceedings and allegations made by the prosecution. The presumption of innocence continues unless and until a conviction is entered.

The families’ statements may continue to form part of the public record, but further personal details should be reported sensitively because the case involves bereaved relatives and three children who lost their mother.

Background to the A66 fatal crash investigation

The fatal collision took place on 12 July last year on the A66 at Twenty Road near Workington. An Audi A3 and a Ford Focus were involved, and both vehicles contained a front-seat passenger who died.

Cumbria Police said the drivers were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The road was closed for several hours after the crash while emergency services responded and investigators examined the scene.

An inquest at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court later heard that both victims suffered fatal chest injuries. The coronial proceedings and the criminal case are separate processes, with the criminal case focusing on whether the charges against Hooton are proven.

The Liverpool Echo report, byline not displayed in the supplied article text, identified the victims as Marty Roberts, from Liverpool, and Abby Storey, from Workington. It also reported the tributes from friends and Ms Storey’s family.liverpoolecho.co

Prediction: how could this case affect local road users?

The case is likely to maintain public attention on road safety along the A66, particularly among drivers travelling near Workington and Twenty Road. If later court proceedings establish further details about speed, vehicle movements, insurance status or driving entitlement, those findings could influence public discussion about dangerous driving and enforcement.

For local motorists, the immediate practical lesson is to follow speed limits, drive according to road and weather conditions and avoid driving when uninsured, disqualified or otherwise not legally permitted to do so. Those points are general road-safety considerations and do not imply that the allegations against Hooton have been proven.

For the families and friends of Marty Roberts and Abby Storey, the proceedings may provide a formal account of the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The case may also affect the wider Workington and Liverpool communities by renewing attention on the long-term consequences of serious road collisions.

The eventual impact will depend on the evidence presented, any plea entered and the outcome of the court process. At present, Hooton is accused of the offences and has not been convicted.