A MAN has admitted causing the death of a pensioner by careless driving in north Cumbria.
Colin Hodgson, 30, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court earlier today (FRI).
He had previously denied a charge alleging that he caused the death of Ann Miller by dangerous driving, on August 9 of 2017, and was due to go on trial.
However, during a brief court hearing this morning in front of Judge Peter Davies, Hodgson, of Leam Lane, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of causing Mrs Miller’s death by careless driving of a Mercedes Sprinter van.
This plea was has been accepted by the prosecution.
The charge arises out of a crash on the A6 at Plumpton Foot, between Penrith and Carlisle. Hodgson’s van was in collision with a northbound Volkswagen Golf in which Mrs Miller was a front seat passenger.
She died six days later, on August 15, at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. The driver of the Golf was said by police at the time to have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Hodgson is due to be sentenced later this month at the crown court following the preparation of a pre-sentence report. In the meantime he was granted bail by Judge Davies, but banned from driving.
In a statement released after her death, the family of Mrs Miller – who lived in Penrith and was originally from Carlisle – described her as a “very quiet and respectful, genuine person”.
