A West Cumbrian man has admitted causing a woman’s death in a head-on A66 crash and seriously injuring two other people, including a child.
Maureen Henley, 72, of Cockermouth, died in hospital after a two-vehicle collision in the area of Marron Bridge, near Bridgefoot, on Friday December 22 2023 at around 6.45pm.
Mrs Henley had been a front seat passenger in a Suzuki Jimney driven by her husband, Colin. The Suzuki was struck by an oncoming Volkswagen Golf GTD which had drifted into its path.
At Carlisle Crown Court today, 21-year-old Golf driver Simon Patrick Nicholson pleaded guilty to three offences.
Nicholson admitted causing Mrs Henley’s death by driving the Golf carelessly when under the influence of drugs.
The court heard he was over the prescribed driving limit for the cocaine breakdown product benzoylecgonine (BZE), when the collision occurred.
Nicholson further admitted causing serious injury to two people — Mr Henley and also a child who was a rear seat passenger in the Golf — by driving without due care and attention.
Defence solicitor Mark Shepherd told the court Nicholson had indicated his intent to plead guilty at an earlier magistrates’ court hearing.
Relatives of Mrs Henley were in the public gallery for today’s crown court hearing.
“The defendant knows who is here (in court),” said Mr Shepherd. “He wishes through me to express his deepest condolences for what has taken place.”
Nicholson was said to have been just over the drug-driving limit when tested in the crash aftermath, said Mr Shepherd, who submitted there was no psychoactive effect on the defendant at the time of the collision as a result of that.
Nicholson’s case was adjourned by Judge Nicholas Barker for the preparation of background reports by a probation officer and a psychiatrist.
Nicholson, of Meadley Place, Cleator Moor, is due to receive his punishment at the crown court on February 20.
In the meantime he has been bailed and made subject to an interim driving ban.
The exact length of that full disqualification will be announced at the sentencing hearing.
