A classic car driver has admitted causing the crash that cost the life of a ‘glamorous’ retired teacher.
David Knight, 56, who pleaded guilty on Tuesday to causing death by careless driving, was behind the wheel of a classic Mercury car on the A417 near Stanford-in-the-Vale on July 22 last year when he drifted over the centre line.
The car struck a light goods vehicle coming in the opposite direction, Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard. The tipper truck, which was hit head-on, was sent spinning into victim Sheila Shirley’s Mercedes. The former teacher was driving behind the van.
The Mercedes ended up trapped beneath the LGV at the side of the road and Mrs Shirley, from Baulking, suffered fatal injuries.
Paying tribute to her mother last year, Kara Terry described Mrs Shirley as the ‘cornerstone’ of the family.
“Even though she was 72, she was young at heart and cheery,” Mrs Terry said of her mother, who had worked as a special educational needs teacher at Tower Hill then Ducklington primary schools.
“She was adventurous and loved to travel, always going on holiday and to live music events.
“She was involved in the Women’s Institute and local church, and had many friends far and wide – she was full of life and glamorous.”
READ MORE: Tributes paid to retired teacher killed in A417 crash
Sheila Shirley and her daughter Tara Kelly (Image: Family Handout)
Prosecuting, Nony Umenyiora told the magistrates’ court on Tuesday: “None of the drivers involved in the collision had medical conditions.” None of the drivers involved in the crash were intoxicated through alcohol or drugs, the court heard.
“The cause of the collision was as a result of the defendant failing to control his vehicle, veering into oncoming traffic and causing the death of Sheila Shirley,” Ms Umenyiora added.
District Judge Kamlesh Rana asked the defendant’s advocate, Tim Morgan, for his client’s explanation about why the crash came about.
A vehicle examiner found that the Mercury’s steering was ‘loose’, Mr Morgan said – although he acknowledged that his client would have been ‘able to feel’.
The car was a left-hand drive classic car, meaning Knight was sat the opposite side of the carriageway to the right line.
He was driving in convoy but had become separated from the other cars he had been travelling with. As a result, he had been ‘looking about him’ trying to see the other members of his party.
Knight himself suffered head injuries himself in the crash and, as a consequence, his memory of the collision was limited.
Mr Morgan said his client had expressed his condolences in his prepared statement at the police station and wished to repeat them to members of Mrs Shirley’s family who packed the public gallery at the magistrates’ court on Tuesday afternoon.
Standing in the dock wearing a dark grey overcoat, white shirt and a two-colour tie, Knight, of Blagrove Drive, Wokingham, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and his guilty plea.
David Knight leaving Oxford Magistrates' Court (Image: Oxford Mail)
District Judge Rana sent the case to the crown court for sentence, telling the defendant: “Taking all of the information into account, I take the view my sentencing powers would not be sufficient to sentence you for this particular offence.”
Because of the age of the offence the maximum sentence she could impose would be six months’ imprisonment, she said.
Knight was bailed to appear before Oxford Crown Court on January 5 for sentence. He was given an interim driving disqualification, banning him from driving any mechanically-propelled vehicle.
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
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