[A] SECTION of the A66 trans-Pennine route was partially closed today as jurors visited the scene of a fatal crash.
Thirty-year-old Jamie Armstrong died after suffering “catastrophic” head injuries when his Audi A4 was in collision with an HGV in darkness next to Stainmore cafe, east of Brough, on September 8 in 2016.
The lorry driver, Ashley Cole, is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. Cole, 56, of Ecclesfield, near Sheffield, admits causing Mr Armstrong’s death by careless driving – but denies a charge alleging his driving, at 5-20am that morning, was dangerous.
The prosecution says the trailer of Cole’s Scania lorry “blocked the entirety” of the eastbound carriageway moments before the fatal collision when the tractor unit reached the central reservation as he prepared to head west.
And today (TUES) members of the trial jury visited the crash site. They were shown a replica of the lorry cab, sat inside to experience an elevated view, travelled eastbound in a police vehicle to retrace Mr Armstrong’s fateful journey and had a chance to ask questions.
Police closed a short stretch of the A66 eastbound for 30 minutes during the jury’s two-hour site visit. Also in attendance were the respective lawyers, the defendant and trial judge. Traffic disruption was kept to a minimum.
Jurors will return to court this afternoon to hear witnesses in the case give evidence.
The trial – expected last a week – continues.
