Liverpool Driver Jailed Following Fatal Collision
A driver has today been sentenced to four years in prison and banned from driving for seven years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and serious injury by dangerous driving. John Lacey, 59, of Millwood Road, Speke appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after being charged following a fatal collision on St Mary’s Road in Garston on 9 January 2015.
Pedestrian Sheila Harding, 70, and husband Edward, 78, were struck as they crossed the road. Mrs Harding died later in hospital and Mr Harding is still affected by injuries he sustained. Lacey was sentenced to four years for causing the death of Sheila Harding by dangerous driving and 30 months for causing serious injury by dangerous driving to her husband after admitting the offences at an earlier hearing. The sentences will be served concurrently. Lacey drove his Ford Focus through a red light before colliding with the couple as they crossed at a traffic light controlled crossing close to the junction of St Mary's Road and Garston Old Road. Inspector Mike McFall, from Merseyside Police’s Road Policing Unit, said: "This was a horrific incident which has had a devastating impact on the Harding family and their friends. "This was an avoidable collision which did not need to happen, and would not have happened if the driver had abided by the basic laws of the road and stopped when the red light was signalled. "One person died and one person suffered life changing injuries and other multiple injuries from which they have still not fully recovered.
To make matters worse, shortly after the collision Lacey got out of his car and accused the couple of stepping out into the road, despite the fact they had crossed while the green man was displayed. The incident has had a devastating effect on all of those involved."