Motorist receives suspended prison term following fatal collision on A52 between Boston and Skegness - tribute paid to father-of-three

Paul Cook, 44, of Eve Balfour Way, Stowmarket, Suffolk, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court today (Friday, March 27) following the incident last year. At about 12.45pm on May 1, Cook was driving west towards Boston on the A52 near Wrangle in a DAF truck goods vehicle when he crossed the central road markings, colliding with two vehicles travelling in the opposite direction, Lincolnshire Police said.

He first struck the offside of a Land Rover Discovery, before then colliding with a third vehicle, a Vauxhall Astra, which was travelling directly behind the Land Rover.

As a result of the collision, the two occupants of the Astra were seriously injured and taken to hospital, police continued. Sadly, the front seat passenger, Trevor Wigston, 73, who was from the Spalding area, died just over a week later in hospital from his injuries.

Cook pleaded guilty to charges of causing death by careless driving and serious injury by careless driving.

In addition to his 12-month suspended sentence and two-year driving ban, he must also complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirements, police said.

He must also take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: “Following an extensive investigation by our Serious and Forensic Collision Investigation Units. Cook was charged with the two offences that he was sentenced for at court today. Technical examinations of the vehicle found no issues that were contributory in the collision.

“It was established during the investigation that Cook was compliant with all legal requirements and training. Subsequent scene examinations and dashcam footage established that Cook’s vehicle had just entered the opposing carriageway, causing a collision with the Land Rover, before losing control and colliding with the Astra. There was no opportunity for the driver of the Astra to take any avoiding action.”

In interview, Cook could provide no explanation as to why his vehicle crossed the central line markings, police said.

He stated that he was not distracted, there were no faults with either the vehicle or road, and no issues with his health, the force added.

Det Sgt Kate Johnston, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision was due to the careless driving of Cook when he failed to pay proper attention to the path of his vehicle through a bend. In traversing the centre line, he collided with two other vehicles with devastating results.

“The importance of concentration and careful control is clearly demonstrated in this case, especially when driving larger goods vehicles. Unfortunately, larger vehicles carry greater momentum and when collisions occur, their size always render them liable to causing greater injury to other parties. Therefore, drivers of such vehicles need to ensure they maximise their attention at all times.”

Following sentencing. Trevor’s wife, Loraine, issued the following tribute to her husband:

“Trevor and I were married for 50 years and we raised three amazing children. We had many happy years together.

“We enjoyed our holidays, especially our cruises, which Trevor loved. Trevor loved our caravan we had in Skegness, which we were on our way to for a few days when our lives changed forever.

“My husband was my life, he lived for his children and me. We are heartbroken beyond words that he is no longer here with us; with our faith we will carry him in our hearts until we meet again.

“As a family we will forgive Paul Cook one day when we can see past the pain.

“To Trevor, until we hold each other again, sleep tight my love, your Loraine and girls xx.”