Man admits death by careless driving

An 80-year-old from Reading died and his wife was seriously injured in the accident on the M4 last year

A 53-YEAR-OLD man has been found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving on Wednesday (April 6), having pleaded guilty earlier to causing death by careless driving.

Christopher Scarle, of Wembdon Rise, Bridgewater, Somerset, appeared at Reading Crown Court in connection with an incident that happened on the M4 at Tidmarsh, Berkshire, between junctions 12 and 13 on June 12, 2010.

Scarle was involved in a collision when the silver Audi he was driving struck the rear of a Vauxhall Astra being driven by 80-year-old Dennis Scott from the Woodley area of Reading.

Mr Scott was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife, who was a passenger in the front of the vehicle, received serious injuries for which she still requires constant care.

The court heard how Mr Scotts' Astra had suffered a head gasket failure and was losing speed whilst still in lane one of the eastbound carriageway.

Scarle failed to react to the presence of Mr Scotts' car and struck it at 76mph.

The force of the impact caused Mr Scotts' Astra to be pushed across the carriageway, coming to rest next to the central reservation.

Sgt Paul Coleman, from the Thames Valley Roads Policing Department, said: “This case reminds us of the dangers associated with driving and the consequences when standards of driving drop below what is required.

“In this case, as a result of a driver failing to react to events ahead, a family has lost their father, and their mother has sustained serious injuries which have changed her life and their lives forever.”

The case has been adjourned to May 12, when Scarle will return for sentencing at Reading Crown Court.