Family Pays Tribute After Driver Sentenced Over Crash

The family of a man who died following a crash near a Harborough village have paid tribute after a driver was sentenced.

88-year-old Michael Wilson died in hospital after his car was involved in a collision with another car on Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton, on December 4th 2023.

Bethan Clarke, 35, from Wigston, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court yesterday after admitting causing death by careless driving.

She was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and banned from driving for a year.

Mr Wilson lived in Rugby and his family described him as a ‘kind and generous man’ who was ‘the rock of their family’ and will be forever remembered and sadly missed.

Mr Wilson with his granddaughter Naomi

Paying tribute to Mr Wilson, his family said: “Our hearts were broken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved father, grandfather and friend, who was tragically taken from us due to the careless actions of another driver.

“He loved driving and spending time with his grandchildren, facing each day with generosity and warmth. He should still be here with us and we’ve been given no explanation why he isn’t.

“We are devastated by the manner of his passing, made harder still by the lack of answers, it feels as raw today as the day it happened. While nothing will bring him back, we think of him every day. Forever remembered, sadly missed.”

The crash happened just before 11am on 4 December 2023. Clarke was driving a grey Volkswagen Passat when she collided with a black Honda Jazz being driven by Mr Wilson.

Mr Wilson suffered serious injuries in the collision and was taken to hospital where he sadly died later that day.

Clarke also suffered injuries in the collision and was taken to hospital for treatment. She was later discharged.

An extensive investigation was carried out by Leicestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit including obtaining dashcam footage and appealing for and speaking to witnesses.

Footage recovered showed Clarke was driving in the opposite direction to Mr Wilson at the time of the collision but had driven onto the wrong side of the road leading to the collision.

Dedicated enquiries were carried out to try and establish the reason for the car being driven on the wrong side of the road but a confirmed reason could not be established.

Clarke was interviewed in relation to the incident but could not fully recall what had happened.