Pensioner charged over death crash

6:02pm Monday 17th March 2008

A PENSIONER has been charged with driving without due care and attention after a 79-year-old woman died in a crash.

Richard Cook, 70, from Read answered bail on Friday when he was charged in connection with a road collision in which Elizabeth Jephson was killed.

Mrs Jephson, known as Betty to her friends, died when her Rover 25 collided with Mr Cook's Mercedes CDi on the A671 Accrington Road, Whalley, on January 2, police said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Mr Cook was treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital for minor injuries before being released.

Police did not interview him immediately.

Sergeant Pete Sculpher said: "We waited for about six weeks before interviewing him, due to his deep shock."

Mr Cook will appear before Blackburn magistrates on Tuesday, March 25.

Mrs Jephson was born and bred in Burnley but had lived in Barrow near Clitheroe for the past eight years, moving back to East Lancashire after she was widowed.

Her friends and neighbours from Green Park Court off Whiteacre Lane were shocked by the tragedy, and paid tribute to "a very kind, gentle woman".

A committed Christian, Mrs Jephson was a well-known figure at Whalley Parish Church.

She left behind a step-daughter and two stepsons, plus a number of siblings including Desmond Brierley, from Locker Avenue, Burnley who described his sister as "the most kind and friendly person well loved by everyone".

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