A LORRY driver has been jailed after a jury convicted him of causing a fellow motorist’s death on the A66 by dangerous driving.
Ashley Cole, 56, had been on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He admitted causing the death of Jamie Armstrong by careless driving, in darkness on the trans-Pennine route, on September 8 in 2016. But Cole denied causing death by dangerous driving.
However, today (WED), after a week-long trial, Cole was found guilty by a jury of that more serious offence.
Jurors had been told 30-year-old Mr Armstrong died from “catastrophic” head injuries when his eastbound Audi A4 was in collision with the trailer of Cole’s lorry in darkness at 5-20am. Mr Armstrong, from Haltwhistle, was travelling to work in the North East, having left accommodation in Gretna that morning.
Immediately before the crash occurred, Cole’s 40ft furniture-laden trailer was entirely across the eastbound carriageway. It had been stationary for 15 seconds after he left Stainmore Cafe and waited in the central reservation to turn west.
Father-of-two Cole, a man of previous good character and a lorry driver for more than two decades, was sentenced this afternoon. He was jailed for two years by Judge Barbara Forrester.
Cole, of Ecclesfield, Sheffield, must also serve a two-year driving ban upon release, and take an extended re-test.
In a statement after Mr Armstrong’s death, his family had said: “Jamie, who was known as ‘Jam’, was a fun-loving lad who loved travelling and work. He always lived life to the full.”
They added: “He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”
Sergeant Claire Sampson of Cumbria Police’s Mobile Support Group said: “This case is tragic for everyone involved, Jamie Armstrong was given no opportunity to avoid this collision.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Armstrong. We would like to thank them for the dignity and patience they have shown throughout this investigation.”
