Telford driver, 62, admits causing crash which killed OAP

Leonard Hawkins, 89, was airlifted to hospital after his red Ford Fiesta was struck by a Nissan in Springhill Road, Dawley, Telford, on November 3 last year. He died Despite efforts to save him Mr Hawkins succumbed to his injuries a month later on December 12.

At Telford Magistrates Court Nissan driver Michael Cull, 62, admitted a charge of causing the Mr Hawkins’ death of by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle without due care and attention.

Miss Bally Paul, prosecuting, said: “Sadly the case before you relates to a fatality, the death of Mr Hawkins who was involved in the collision. The Crown is suggesting that the case is dealt with here.

“It is understood that the defendant undertook a right hand turn and as a result drove into oncoming traffic and into Mr Hawkins who was the driver of another car.

“He and his wife were badly injured. Sadly, Mr Hawkins lost his life some time later.

“I am going to suggest that this matter can be dealt with here under the jurisdiction of the bench. Under the sentencing guidelines it will attract a low to high level community order.”

The matter was adjourned for reports until July 10 when Cull, of Pool View, Horsehay, will be sentenced by a district judge. The 62-year-old was granted bail until then.

At the time of the collision a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Upon arrival crews found two cars which had been involved in a serious collision. The occupants of one car, an elderly man and woman, were still in the vehicle.

“The driver, an 89-year-old man, sustained a head injury in the collision. Ambulance staff carried out further checks and treated the man’s head injury before he was airlifted to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The passenger, an 83-year-old woman, sustained back and chest pain. She was immobilised before being taken by land ambulance to Princess Royal Hospital.

“The driver of the second car, a man in his 60s, was out of the vehicle when ambulance staff arrived. Upon assessment, he was found with back pain, pain to his side and a large cut to his head. The man was given pain relief to help ease his discomfort whilst ambulance staff worked to dress his wound. The man was then taken by land ambulance to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further trauma care.”

The crash resulted in road closures in the area at Heath Hill Roundabout to Springhill Road, the Station Road junction to Springhill Road, Doseley Road South Junction to Springhill Road and the junction at Springhill Road to Finger Road by the traffic lights.