UPDATE: A roofer has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison after a shocking crash on the A1 in Northumberland left two women seriously injured. Bryan Storey, 39, was driving a borrowed Vauxhall Corsa when he fell asleep at the wheel on September 14, 2023, around 4:15 PM.
The incident occurred as Storey, who had spent a sleepless night at Haggerston Castle holiday park, drifted into oncoming traffic. A 29-year-old woman driving a Jeep was unable to avoid a head-on collision, leading to catastrophic injuries for both her and her passenger.
Prosecutor Gurjot Kaur detailed how the Jeep driver spotted the Corsa approaching but had no time to react. Despite sounding her horn, the vehicle continued towards her at speed. The Jeep collided with the front offside of the Corsa, sending both vehicles off the road.
The passenger in the Jeep suffered severe injuries, including breaks to both forearm bones requiring surgery. The driver is now facing long-term nerve damage to her knee, which could affect her career in the legal team of a children’s services department. She stated, “My life has changed in an instant,” reflecting on the emotional toll of the accident, which left her unable to drive or work.
Adding to the chaos, another driver in an Audi had to take evasive action to avoid the drifting Corsa, resulting in further damage.
Storey, who has an extensive criminal history with 76 prior convictions, including dangerous driving and robbery, pleaded guilty to charges including causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. His defense claimed he was unaware that his previous driving ban had not expired and expressed remorse for the incident.
Newcastle Crown Court ruled that Storey will serve his sentence concurrently with a previous term that extends until 2032, and he will face a two-year driving ban upon release.
This harrowing incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving while fatigued. Authorities urge drivers to ensure they are well-rested before hitting the road to prevent further tragedies.
Stay tuned for more developments on this case and other urgent news updates.
