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Diabetic jailed for crash death Diabetic jailed for crash death
(about 2 hours later)
A driver who blacked out from a diabetic attack and killed a nurse when his car mounted the pavement has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.A driver who blacked out from a diabetic attack and killed a nurse when his car mounted the pavement has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Phillip Willey, 46, "mowed down" Suzanne Meredith, 54, as he drove home to Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, and also seriously injured her husband Julian.Phillip Willey, 46, "mowed down" Suzanne Meredith, 54, as he drove home to Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, and also seriously injured her husband Julian.
He admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.He admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.
The judge at Cardiff Crown Court told Willey he was guilty of "gross mismanagement" of his condition.The judge at Cardiff Crown Court told Willey he was guilty of "gross mismanagement" of his condition.
The court was told Mrs Meredith, a mother-of-three, died of severe multiple injuries in the crash in May 2006 as Willey drove home from RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.The court was told Mrs Meredith, a mother-of-three, died of severe multiple injuries in the crash in May 2006 as Willey drove home from RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The body of the district nurse was found at the front of Willey's Subaru car after she had been on an evening stroll with her husband.The body of the district nurse was found at the front of Willey's Subaru car after she had been on an evening stroll with her husband.
We feel our life has been destroyed by this person not taking responsibility for his action Julian Meredith, victim's widowerWe feel our life has been destroyed by this person not taking responsibility for his action Julian Meredith, victim's widower
Outside court, Mr Meredith, 52, said: "We feel our life has been destroyed by this person not taking responsibility for his action.Outside court, Mr Meredith, 52, said: "We feel our life has been destroyed by this person not taking responsibility for his action.
"My wife was a district nurse and worked with diabetics. It is the ultimate irony, really"."My wife was a district nurse and worked with diabetics. It is the ultimate irony, really".
Marion Lewis, prosecuting, said: "Willey had been diabetic for 10 years but he did not carry sweets, Lucozade, or food which could prevent an attack.Marion Lewis, prosecuting, said: "Willey had been diabetic for 10 years but he did not carry sweets, Lucozade, or food which could prevent an attack.
"By his own admission he had not done so for 12 months, let alone of the day of his fatal journey."By his own admission he had not done so for 12 months, let alone of the day of his fatal journey.
Criminally responsibleCriminally responsible
"He had not attended at his diabetes clinic for six years, he did not attend his annual review of provide blood glucose test results."He had not attended at his diabetes clinic for six years, he did not attend his annual review of provide blood glucose test results.
"He was driving dangerously on the day of the collision and he is criminally responsible.""He was driving dangerously on the day of the collision and he is criminally responsible."
The court heard that Willey's blood sugar levels were tested by paramedics at the scene and a reading of 1.9 millimoles per litre was recorded. The lowest recorded level for diabetes is four millimoles per litre. The court heard that Willey's blood sugar levels were tested by paramedics at the scene and a reading of 1.9 millimoles per litre was recorded. The lowest recommended level for diabetes is four millimoles per litre.
The court also heard other motorists saw Willey's Subaru being driven "like a Formula One car as its tyres are being warmed up for a Grand Prix" moments before the crash.The court also heard other motorists saw Willey's Subaru being driven "like a Formula One car as its tyres are being warmed up for a Grand Prix" moments before the crash.
Sentencing Willey, Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC said his monitoring of his condition and his blood sugar levels in particular were "to put it mildly grossly mismanaged and grossly inadequate".Sentencing Willey, Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC said his monitoring of his condition and his blood sugar levels in particular were "to put it mildly grossly mismanaged and grossly inadequate".
The judge said it was "perfectly clear" that Willey had been advised to monitor himself while driving.The judge said it was "perfectly clear" that Willey had been advised to monitor himself while driving.
He said; "If you had done that before you set out that afternoon it would have shown your blood sugar reading was low and a lump of sugar would have prevented this terrible accident.He said; "If you had done that before you set out that afternoon it would have shown your blood sugar reading was low and a lump of sugar would have prevented this terrible accident.
"Because of that gross mismanagement is its my judgement that it was an accident waiting to happen," said the judge."Because of that gross mismanagement is its my judgement that it was an accident waiting to happen," said the judge.
Peter Heywood, defending, said Mr Willey was "genuinely and deeply remorseful" and has the "strongest feelings of compassion" for Mr Meredith and his family.Peter Heywood, defending, said Mr Willey was "genuinely and deeply remorseful" and has the "strongest feelings of compassion" for Mr Meredith and his family.
"He wished it had been him and not Mrs Meredith who died. There isn't a day goes by when it doesn't revisit him.""He wished it had been him and not Mrs Meredith who died. There isn't a day goes by when it doesn't revisit him."