M40 Driver Should Have Taken a Break to Prevent Passenger's Death
A warning from PC Craig Pearson, a serious collision investigator with Warwickshire Police, emphasizes the importance of taking breaks while driving, especially at night, to prevent fatal accidents.
TAKING a break when driving, especially at night, can be the difference between life and death.
In May 2024, a collision occurred on the M40 near Warwick, resulting in the death of a passenger in a van driven by Legard Swaby. The investigation, led by PC Pearson, found that the van crashed into a lorry at 91 miles per hour without any attempt to brake or steer.
- The passenger suffered catastrophic injuries and later died in hospital.
- Swaby claimed he was trying to wake the passenger to take over driving at the time of the collision.
- However, police enquiries suggested that the circumstances of the collision were consistent with driver fatigue.
Author's summary: Driver fatigue can be fatal, take breaks.