Driver sentenced for crash which caused death of 75 year-old from Wootton Wawen on Christmas Eve

By James Smith 1st Nov 2021

(Image by West Midlands Police via https://www.flickr.com/photos/westmidlandspolice/14309115039)
(Image by West Midlands Police via https://www.flickr.com/photos/westmidlandspolice/14309115039)

Following a Warwickshire Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for death by dangerous driving after a collision which led to the death for a 75-year-old from Wootton Wawen.

Philip Griffin, aged 32 of Himbleton Close, Redditch, appeared at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (March 23), where he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years imprisonment and given a five year driving ban.

The collision happened on the A4189 Redditch Road on 11 December 2019, when Griffin's car was in a head-on collision with a black Ford Focus.

Both occupants of the Focus sustained serious injuries and the driver, 75-year-old Kenneth Alder, sadly passed away in hospital on Christmas Eve 13 days later.

It took fire crews an hour and a half to cut Mr Adler from the wreckage, and such was the severity of his injuries his wife of 50 years was not allowed to see him before he died.

Mr and Mrs Adler were returning home having visited their daughter.

A subsequent investigation determined that at the time of the crash, Griffin's vehicle had been on the wrong side of the road, as he drank coffee whilst he drove.

He pleaded guilty to the offence.

Inspector Michael Huntley from Warwickshire Police said: "This was a tragic incident which resulted in the death of Mr Alder and caused serious injuries to his wife, not to mention the grief sustained by the whole family.

"Sadly, this case once again highlights the importance of having full concentration while driving and the devastating consequences that can result if this is not done.

"Our thoughts remain with Mr Alder's family, and hope this outcome will now give them a small sense of closure."

     

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