[A] VAN driver who caused a head-on A66 smash near Penrith which “ruined” another motorist’s life has been jailed.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how “impatient” Chey Clark pulled out from a busy line of westbound traffic in darkness and above the speed limit near Brougham just after 6am on February 9 last year.
As 24-year-old Clark attempted an overtake dubbed “almost impossible” by a judge, his Vauxhall Vivaro slammed into an eastbound goods vehicle despite driver Mark Bowcock’s desperate attempts to take evasive action.
Dashcam footage from the HGV captured a crash which destroyed both vehicles, and recorded Mr Bowcock screaming out in excruciating pain. He suffered broken bones to his right foot, broken ribs, a badly bruised lung, cuts and bruises, and still had glass embedded in his head several months later.
Mr Bowcock, aged in his 50s, of Alvaston, Derby, later told how the collision had “ruined” his life, while his wife spoke of being left “broken” amid the significant long-term impact on their family.
Clark, also badly injured, was jailed for 20 months today (TUES) having admitted causing serious injury to Mr Bowcock by dangerous driving. A man of previous good character, Clark was said to “bitterly regret” the incident despite having no recollection of it.
Judge James Adkin described the driving of Clark, of Coronation Drive, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, as “impatience, selfishness, stupidity”.
Clark must serve a two-year driving ban, and take an extended re-test.
*The stretch of trans-Pennine road was closed for around six hours in the aftermath of the crash.
