Death crash driver jailed

Friday 22nd September 2006, 9:42PM BST.

Mr Robert Juckes, QC, prosecuting, said Williams’ articulated lorry careered straight into the Vauxhall Agila driven by Sue Wilkes.

The truck pushed the Vauxhall into a lampost while the wagon continued into a hedge.

Mother-of-two Mrs Wilkes died of multiple injuries after the crash on Walsall Road, in Aldridge, on December 3, 2004.

Judge John Wait told Williams he had failed to disclose to doctors that he could have passed out at any time.

At a previous hearing Williams changed his denial and admitted causing the death of Mrs Wilkes by dangerous driving.

The Walsall Council trading standards worker was travelling with her three-year-old son when Williams’ lorry ploughed into them near Aldridge airport. Her son survived.

Williams had previously apologised through his solicitor in court for the incident and to Mrs Wilkes’ family. He has not driven since the accident.

Mrs Wilkes, of Seven Acres, Aldridge, known as Fran, had been a member of Tynings Lane Church.

Williams was also disqualified from driving for five years.

Mr Juckes told the court that Williams had suffered a number of blackouts which had been witnessed by his ex wife and former girlfriends.

He told the court the driver had been to see his GP prior to the accident for depression and asthma but had not told them about the extent of the blackouts he was suffering.

He said his former girlfriend Donna Cosgrove thought he was “a timebomb” and should not have been driving.

Willams, aged 45, of Rough Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, appeared to be asleep while he was sentenced today.

By Deborah Stewart
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