[A] JURY in the trial of a truck driver accused of causing the death of a fellow motorist by dangerous driving has retired to consider its verdict.
Fifty-six-year-old Ashley Cole has been on trial at Carlisle Crown Court for the past week.
Cole admits that his careless driving of a Scania HGV, on the A66 at Stainmore in September, 2016, caused the death of Jamie Armstrong. Mr Armstrong, aged 30, died from “catastrophic” injuries after his eastbound Audi A4 was in collision with the lorry’s 40ft trailer as Cole crossed the trunk road carriageway in preparation for turning west in darkness at 5-20am. But he denies a charge alleging he caused death by dangerous driving.
Jurors have heard the trailer of Cole’s lorry was blocking the whole of the eastbound carriageway at the time of the fatal crash.
However, Cole, of Ecclesfield, Sheffield, told police he checked for oncoming traffic, saw “no lights” and thought the road was clear. He denies that his driving had been dangerous.
After hearing closing speeches and a judge’s summing-up in court, jurors retired earlier today (TUES) to consider their verdict. They were sent home this afternoon, and will continue deliberating in the morning.
