Death crash driver 'dozed off at wheel'

Michael Worrall admitted causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He was involved in an early morning, two-car crash in Kingswinford in which Geoffrey Harris was killed. Worrall, aged 70, hadn't slept for a few days before the collision last February, the court heard yesterday.

Prosecuting, Mohammed Hafeez, said Worrall had been suffering from ill-health and was taking medication.

"In essence the defendant fell asleep at the wheel having not slept for a number of nights," he added.

"He decided to take the car out to assist him in sleeping as driving helps him sleep."

Worrall, of Withern Way, Lower Gornal, was then involved in a two-car collision in Stallings Lane at around 5am on February 27.

A blue Vauxhall Astra, which Worrall was driving, collided with a red Renault Megane.

Mr Harris was found in cardiac arrest and was taken to Russells Hall Hospital, where he later died.

In court yesterday Worrall spoke only to confirm his name and plead guilty to the charge.

Tributes were made to Mr Harris, aged 56 and of Abberley Road, also in Lower Gornal, after his death.

Mr Harris' wife Valerie said at the time that his daughter Kelly had been left distraught by his death, five months before her wedding.

"Geoff, as he was known by us all, was a loving husband, and had an addictive cheeky personality," she said.

"He was a generous and funny man and well liked by all his friends and family.

"He had recently become grandfather to his only daughter Kelly's first son Jacob, aged eight months, who he doted on.

"My daughter Kelly is distraught at the news of losing her father to such a tragic incident, and now raising Jacob without a grandfather in his life."

Worrall will be sentenced on March 8 at the same court after a pre-sentence report has been compiled. He was told to co-operate with probation services as part of his bail conditions. Judge Michael Challinor also gave him an immediate interim disqualification from driving.