An 82-year-old man avoided imprisonment after accidentally reversing his car into a woman at a motorway service station, causing severe injuries that have left her wheelchair-bound for life.
David Cornick lost control of his electric vehicle and collided with the 62-year-old woman at Knutsford services on the M6 in Cheshire in 2023. He mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake while maneuvering his Nissan Leaf out of a parking spot.
The woman, who was near her VW Golf at the time of the incident, sustained multiple injuries, including fractures to her thigh and pelvis, necessitating seven blood transfusions. She underwent extensive hospital treatment for four months, resulting in permanent nerve damage and the need for a wheelchair indefinitely.
Described as “one of the nicest men in the world” by his counsel, Cornick appeared in Chester Crown Court facing a potential three-year prison sentence. He received a 15-month suspended jail term after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The accident occurred around 1:30 pm on September 26, 2023, as Cornick was traveling from Liverpool to Derbyshire with his wife and had stopped to charge his vehicle. While waiting for a charging point, he unintentionally struck the woman with his car.
Prosecutor Mr. Harvey Appleby stated that the victim suffered life-altering injuries, including immobilized hips, severe bleeding, and multiple fractures to the pelvic bone and left thighbone, requiring extensive medical intervention over several months.
In her statement, the victim expressed the profound impact of the accident on her life, noting her inability to engage in various activities and the permanent need for a wheelchair due to pain and swelling.
Cornick, from Aigburth in Liverpool, was also banned from driving for two years, ordered to undergo an extended driving test before regaining his license, and instructed to pay £300 in costs. He expressed willingness to cease driving following the incident.
Judge Steven Everett acknowledged the tragic consequences of the incident, emphasizing the irreversible impact on the victim’s life while recognizing Cornick’s remorse and regret for the catastrophic outcome. Despite the severity of the incident, the judge highlighted Cornick’s prior positive contributions and character references, underscoring his remorse and lack of intent for the accident.