Man jailed over head-on crash which killed woman

A speeding driver who caused the death of a woman after a 69mph (111km/h) head-on crash in Derbyshire has been jailed.

Scott Bradley's Vauxhall Astra was seen veering on to the pavement and drove on the wrong side of the road before crashing into a Honda Jazz in Nottingham Road, Borrowash, on 10 April 2024.

Kathleen O'Neil, 75, who was in the Honda, sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital, but died nearly two weeks later.

Bradley, 45, of Fowler Street in Draycott, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for 10 years and six months.

Derbyshire Police said CCTV footage before the crash showed Bradley mount the pavement on the 30mph road as he attempted to avoid concrete bollards.

After striking several objects, the court heard he steered back on to the wrong side of the road and crashed head-on with the oncoming Honda.

Detectives said the impact was so severe that the rear of the Honda was lifted off the ground and was pushed 23 metres (75ft) from the point of collision.

Two people who were with Bradley the night before the crash said he had been drinking and taking cocaine during the evening and into the following morning.

A woman who was a passenger in his car at the time of the collision told officers she was "screaming at him" and asking him to "slow down" as he was driving too fast.

Bradley was arrested and interviewed. He replied no comment to all questions asked, but pleaded guilty to the offence, according to Derbyshire Police.

As well as the jail term, Bradley was banned from driving for 14 years and three months and must take an extended retest before he can drive again.

Det Rich Howiss said: "One friend had already taken his keys off him, and another begged him to slow down when he did drive. But he carried on regardless, speeding and giving no consideration to other road users – or even his passenger.

"[Kathleen] had no opportunity to react, or take evasive action as Bradley's car hit her at speed and pushed her a considerable distance down the road.

"For Kathleen's family, what followed was an agonising two weeks at the hospital, praying she would survive. Sadly though, her injuries were too significant and she never recovered."

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