Death crash driver tells of his sorrow
A driver who fell asleep at the wheel and caused the death of a man in a road smash today expressed his sorrow for the tragedy.
Pensioner Michael Worrall admitted causing death by dangerous driving in court last week.
He will be sentenced for killing 56-year-old Geoffrey Harris next month and Worrall, of Withern Way in Lower Gornal, said he would do anything to go back and change what happened.
Worrall hadn't slept for days before the crash in February last year and was taking medication for an illness.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how the 70-year-old decided to take the car out as driving helped him sleep.
And now Worrall – who said he could not sleep for three months after it happened – has explained how the crash in Stallings Lane unfolded.
He said: "I was out for a drive and felt dozy so I stopped but there was nowhere to get a coffee. They say if you get tired you should stop and rest or get a coffee.
"I stopped off and rolled a cigarette and then drove home. When it happened I just heard a bang, the airbag went off and I was knocked unconscious."
The crash happened at 5am on February 27 and Mr Harris suffered a cardiac arrest . He was taken to Russells Hospital but died.
Worrall said the police told him he was doing 40mph, but he believed he was going slower. He described the misery he has felt since the crash and the guilt at killing Mr Harris.
Tributes were paid to Mr Harris, aged 56, of Abberley Road, also in Lower Gornal. His death happened five months before his daughter Kelly was due to get married.
