Understand
Mother found fatal Norwich crash scene while searching for her twin sons
Overview
A mother searching for her twin sons in the middle of the night inadvertently discovered the scene of a fatal crash on Barrack Street in Norwich on Christmas Eve 2025. Thomas Plane, 28, was killed and his identical twin, James, was seriously injured after falling off their e-bikes and being struck by a distracted, drink-impaired driver, Nicolae Brica. Brica was jailed for seven and a half years at Norwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death and serious injury by careless driving, as well as driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
Key points
- Identical twins Thomas and James Plane fell from their hired e-bikes on Barrack Street in Norwich shortly after 01:20 GMT on 24 December 2025.
- Driver Nicolae Brica, who was distracted and nearly twice over the legal drink-drive limit, struck both brothers.
- Thomas Plane was killed after being dragged under the car, while James sustained severe injuries including a broken leg and hip fractures.
- The twins' mother discovered the police cordon and flashing lights while driving out to look for her sons.
- Nicolae Brica was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and given a 10-year driving ban at Norwich Crown Court.