On December 13, 2024, 24-year-old Robbie Diffey killed father-of-three Peter D'Arcy in a head-on collision on Cranborne Road in Dorset, UK, while speeding at over 100mph and filming himself on Snapchat. According to the inquest, Diffey had been caught driving under the influence of cannabis two months earlier and Dorset Police had recommended licence revocation, but the DVLA did not issue the order until days after the crash.

The Snapchat Video That Captured a Fatal 100mph Finale

Police recovered a Snapchat video from Diffey's phone showing him filming himself driving at 100mph, with a flash of light from D'Arcy's car appearing a split second before impact, the inquest in Bournemouth heard. Another video, believed to be posted on TikTok, showed Diffey speeding at 120mph on the Upton Bypass in Poole, though the date is unknown. At the crash scene, an opened bottle of Peroni lager was found between Diffey's legs, and toxicology tests showed he was under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis. Senior Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin described Diffey's driving as "audacious and abhorrent" and ruled D'Arcy's death an unlawful killing.

The October Arrest That Should Have Banned Him: A 77-Day Window Missed

In October 2024, Diffey was caught driving under the influence of cannabis . Dorset Police recommended to the DVLA that his licence be revoked, according to Sergeant Michael Burt. However, the revocation order was not issued until a few days after the December 13 crash. The delay meant Diffey remained legally on the road for approximately 77 days, a period during which he continued to drive dangerously. The case raises specific questions about the DVLA's processing of police recommendations for high-risk drivers.

A 13-Year History of Cannabis Abuse and an ADHD Diagnosis:What Did the DVLA Know?

The inquest revealed that Diffey had a 13-year history of cannabis abuse, starting at age 11, and had been diagnosed with emotional unstable personality disorder and ADHD in 2024. His mother, Sarah Diffey, acknowledged her son's mental health struggles and called for "better DVLA regulation for drivers with mental disorders," adding that her son "would not have been able to live with himself if he had survived ." The question remains whether the DVLA was aware of these diagnoses and if they factored into the delayed revocation.

Peter D'Arcy: The Father-of-Three Described as 'a True Gentleman'

Peter D'Arcy, a 57-year-old senior surveyor from Poole, was killed instantly. His partner, Tara Pennington, told the inquest: "My life was shattered when Pete died. We had the perfect relationship - he was my soulmate." The D'Arcy family's tribute—including children Kyle, Lucy, and Jack—highlights the human cost behind the bureaucratic failure. Diffey's family also expressed grief, but the source does not include any statement from the DVLA or explanation for the delay.

Who Bears Responsibility for the Delay? Unanswered Questions for the DVLA

The source does not provide any explanation from the DVLA for why the revocation took so long. It is unclear whether the agency was understaffed, whether Diffey contested the recommendation, or if there was a systmic gap in communication between Dorset Police and the DVLA. The coroner's conclusion of unlawful killing does not address the administrative lapse, and no government official has commented on the case. Without answers, families like the D'Arcy's are left wondering whether a faster response could have prevented the tragedy.