[A]N elderly motorist has been fined by a judge after he fell asleep at the wheel, narrowly missing a pedestrian.
Frank McDougal, 75, was travelling along the A596, close to Crosby Villa, when he nodded off in his Mercedes.
Carlisle Crown Court heard the Mercedes “veered” across the road on February 2. It crashed into a parked vehicle belonging to a farmer, who managed to step out of the way and narrowly avoid being hit.
McDougal admitted at the scene he believed he had fallen asleep. At the crown court today he pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.
Judge Barbara Forrester heard the pensioner had more than half a century of motoring experience, and was a man with an “impeccable” conviction-free record.
After hearing mitigation, Judge Forrester imposed a £300 fine and a 12-month driving ban. McDougal, of Green Close, Crosby, was told he must pass an extended test before driving again on a public road.
