An 18-year-old Sandown man has escaped going to prison today (Friday) after being sentenced at Newport Crown Court in relation to a collision that led to the deaths of two Islanders back in January, just two weeks after he passed his driving test.
Jack Powell, 18 of High Street, Sandown was given a 12 month Community Order with 250 hours unpaid work, a nine month curfew and a five year disqualification from driving, with an order to have an extended retest before being allowed a return to driving. He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving.
The court today heard how investigators believe the Clio, driven by Mr Powell, lost control on a right hand bend and then crossed onto the opposite carriageway where it was struck by an oncoming vehicle, a Renault Megane. The front of the Megane collided with the nearside of the Clio, causing substantial damage to the Clio.
The car driver of the Megane, 67-year-old Douglas Ford of Brading, received minor injuries and was treated at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, before being released. Unfortunately his wife, Barbara Ford, also 67, sustained serious injuries and died in the early hours of Friday 3rd January at St Mary’s.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the front seat passenger of the Clio, 14-year-old girl Kiri Jade Hodgkinson, was pronounced dead at the scene. Powell, Kiri’s boyfriend, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with life threatening injuries. He has since recovered after being in a coma.
The rear seat passenger of the Clio, a 13-year-old girl who Island Echo are not naming, was also airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with serious injuries. She received two broken legs and a broken ankle, and is still recuperating from her injuries. She has been seen to be in a wheelchair in recent months.
It was said in Court 1 that the investigation found that it was extremely unlikely Mr Ford would have been able to have avoided the collision with the Clio, because it suddenly appeared in front of him and in his pathway, giving him little or no opportunity to react or take avoiding action.
Sergeant Rob Heard, deputy senior investigating officer for Operation Mohite, said:
“This is a tragic case which has brought about the untimely and sudden loss of two people and serious injuries to three others.
“Jack Powell had passed his driving test just two weeks before this collision, and this case highlights the dangers that young and new drivers face when first taking to the roads independently.
“Young drivers need to be aware that just because they have passed a driving test does not mean that they are fully experienced drivers. Experience is gained every time we take to the road and never stops, we are all learning and developing our driving skills every day we drive on our roads.
“There are many courses available to help new drivers to develop their skills and I would urge young drivers to undertake additional training after passing their tests whenever possible.
“Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the families and friends of all concerned, as this tragic incident has affected many people.”
