Danger driver jailed for killing couple in crash

A motorist who killed an "amazing" married couple in a head-on crash after ignoring medical advice not to drive has been jailed for more than seven years.

David Henderson, 45, killed Patricia Evans and her husband Martin, known as Gareth, when he smashed his VW Golf into their Renault Clio on the A66 in Cumbria in February 2023.

Henderson had previously been advised not to drive by a doctor following blackouts, Preston Crown Court heard, with witnesses reporting him driving aggressively in the lead up to the collision.

Having admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, Henderson was jailed for seven years and four months.

Henderson, a primary school teacher from Carlisle, was driving eastbound on the Stainburn bypass at Great Clifton on 13 February 2023 when he veered on to the opposite side of the road and collided with the Clio being driven by Mrs Evans.

Moments earlier he had overtaken long lines of traffic, reached speeds of 90mph as he attempted to run another car off the road and honked at and aggressively flashed his lights at other cars, Preston Crown Court heard.

Investigators subsequently discovered Henderson had had blackouts and light-headedness for years, including while driving, and had previously had his licence revoked.

Mr and Mrs Evans, of High Brigham, near Cockermouth, had been on their way to lead a bell-ringing session at Workington when Henderson ploughed into their car, Det Con Tim Fowkes said.

Their son Richard told the court his parents were the "most kind, generous, thoughtful, caring people", adding: "They did so much for us, and gave so much to so many others, both within their local communities and further afield.

"The catastrophic events of that night didn't just rip a hole in our own lives, but in the lives of everyone who knew them.

"They were two beautiful, amazing souls who had everything taken away - and we didn't even get to say goodbye."

Directly addressing Henderson, who now has to use a wheelchair as a result of his injuries, Mr Evans said: "The man who caused this is nothing to us.

"We can't wait to never have to think of you again and only remember them."

Henderson's licence was revoked on health grounds in 2020 after he crashed on the A66 near Cockermouth during a blackout, the force said.

It was reissued after a medical assessment, but Henderson was told he must inform the DVLA if his condition worsened.

In January 2022 he crashed on the A595 at Cardewlees during another blackout but failed to tell the DVLA, police said.

A doctor advised him not to drive and he underwent treatment to stop the blackouts, but he began driving again despite having no medical clearance to do so, the spokesman said.

Days before the fatal collision he made internet searches for "driving with medical conditions" and "notifying the DVLA about medical conditions", the spokesman said, adding Henderson "lied to various people about his driving licence status".

Det Con Fowkes said Henderson had been "selfish" and motorists were responsible for making sure they were fit to drive.

Henderson, of Arnison Close, was also banned from driving for more than 16 years and must pass an extended test before getting his licence back.

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