Motorist fined over death crash

7:11pm Sunday 30th March 2008

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A 70-year-old motorist blamed a momentary lapse in concentration for a crash which resulted in the death of a 77-year-old woman.

Blackburn magistrates heard the Mercedes driven by Richard Cook crossed onto the wrong side of the A671 at Whalley before hitting a car coming in the opposite direction driven by Elizabeth Jepson.

Her vehicle was knocked off the road resulting in fatal injuries to Mrs Jepson, who was born and bred in Burnley but lived in Barrow.

Cook's car then collided with a Volvo which had been following her.

The court was told that Cook had been driving in the direction of Accrington as he approached the lights at Spring Wood picnic site where the road widens into a dual carriageway. But before that point he crossed the white line with tragic consequences.

When interviewed by police Cook said he had a "minor lapse of concentration" and believed he was closer to the dual carriageway section of the road.

His defence counsel said that Cook would never get over being involved in the incident and did not seek to minimise the tragic consequences.

Cook, of Read Hall Farm, Read, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.

He was fined £500 with £60 costs, banned from driving for three months and ordered to take a re-test.

Passing sentence the chairman of the magistrates said Cook was a local man who should have been aware of the dangers of that particular stretch of road.

"We recognise the remorse you have shown and we are aware it will stay with you for a long time," said the chairman.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, told the court there was no suggestion Cook was speeding or making a dangerous manoeuvre, such as overtaking.

Gwyn Lewis, defending, said he was specifically instructed not to minimise the tragic consequences of the incident.

"Whatever penalty you impose can never reflect the anxiety or loss caused to the family of this lady," said Mr Lewis. "My client says he will never ever be able to get over being involved in this incident."

He said Cook passed his test in 1954 when he was 17 years old and had regularly driven up to 45,000 miles per year.

"He calculates that he has driven over one million miles and he has never been involved in an accident before," said Mr Lewis.

On the day of the incident Cook had taken his grandsons, aged 16 and 12 years, to the Railway Museum in York and they were just five minutes away from home when the collision occurred.

Mrs Jephson had lived in Barrow for eight years. A committed Christian, she was a well-known figure at Whalley Parish Church.