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Man, 36, charged over fatal Banbury crash that killed Esme Heaton-Biggs, 18

Brian Mclaren, 36, has been charged with motoring offences including causing death by dangerous driving after 18-year-old Esme Heaton-Biggs died in a crash on Bloxham Road, Banbury. Two other people were arrested and bailed, and police are appealing for witnesses.

3 outlets · 1L · 0C · 2R First reported Account updated
Image: Daily Mail
Image: Metro
Image: Daily Express

1 / 3

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Esme Elizabeth Heaton-Biggs, 18, died after her white Volkswagen Polo collided with a white Mercedes on Bloxham Road, Banbury, at around 9.20pm on Saturday. Mixed · 2She was taken to hospital, where she died of her injuries; Metro names the hospital as the John Radcliffe (spelled "Raddcliffe" in its text), and the Daily Mail says she died in the hours that followed. Mixed · 2Thames Valley Police said Brian Mclaren, 36, from Banbury, has been charged over the crash.

Right · 1He appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving while disqualified, with a further charge relating to causing death while over the prescribed alcohol limit as reported by the Daily Mail; he also faces two further charges of driving while disqualified and driving above the legal alcohol limit. Left · 1Metro reports that he was remanded, with his next scheduled hearing at Oxford Crown Court on 6 November. Mixed · 2A 24-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were also arrested in connection with her death and have been released on bail while the investigation continues.

Mixed · 2Her family described her as funny, kind, stubborn, witty and beautiful, and a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin. Left · 1Metro adds that the family thanked residents of Easington and Banbury, the emergency services and hospital medics for the care she received. Right · 1Detective Sergeant Lyndsey Blackaby of Thames Valley Police's serious collision investigation unit urged witnesses and drivers with dashcam footage to come forward, quoting reference 43260517700 and the 101 line.

Mixed · 2The family's tribute dates her death to Sunday 4 October, while both outlets place the crash on Saturday evening; the coverage does not explain the difference, and no cause of the collision has been established publicly.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
A human-interest piece led by the family's tribute and the first published photo of the teenager, with the charge reported lower down.
Emphasis
The family's words, thanks to the community and emergency services, and the next court date.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not give the police witness appeal or the full list of charges.
Charged language
“cheeky”“heartbroken”
For example
“First picture of ‘cheeky’ teenager killed in Banbury car crash” — Metro
“Her heartbroken family paid tribute to her days after the crash” — Metro

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right2 outlets

Framing
Leads with tributes but puts the drink-driving allegation in the headline and gives the detailed charge list and police appeal.
Emphasis
Full charges, the police witness and dashcam appeal, and the tribute.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the remand or the 6 November Crown Court hearing.
Charged language
“drink-driving smash”“tragically died”
For example
“Tributes pour in for girl, 18, killed in crash in Banbury: Man is charged over 'drink-driving smash'” — Daily Mail
“We are working hard to establish exactly what happened” — Daily Mail