Double-fatal crash driver jailed

A man has been jailed for five years for causing death by dangerous driving after his vehicle hit a car, killing a passenger and fatally injuring another.

Philip Cann, 24, from Bovey Tracey, Devon, was driving along a country road between Chudleigh Knighton and Bovey Tracey when he crashed in May 2008.

John Larsson, 79, died at the scene and his son Stephen a month later, after collapsing at his father's funeral.

Can was convicted of two counts at Exeter Crown Court last month.

Blind bend

He was also given a five year driving ban.

The court heard that Cann's 2.5 litre Ford Mondeo smashed into a Renault Scenic which was fourth in a line of on-coming traffic travelling along the B3344.

Mr Larsson was a front seat passenger in the Scenic, which was being driven by his wife.

Their 47-year-old son, who was sitting behind his father, was badly hurt and died a month later. He collapsed at his father's funeral and died the next day in hospital.

Nick O'Brien, prosecuting, told the court it was accepted that Stephen Larsson's death was a consequence of the injuries received in the crash.

"He [Cann] drove round this blind bend much too fast and took it too tightly," he said.

No term of imprisonment can cure the angst Mrs Larsson and her daughter have suffered, are suffering and will continue to suffer for the foreseeable future Judge John Neligan

"The back of the car slid out towards the centre of the road. In trying to correct his mistake, he over-corrected and ended up on the opposite side of the road."

The court was told that Mrs Larsson was also hurt in the collision as well as Cann and a 19-year-old woman who was in the car with him.

Sentencing, Judge John Neligan told Cann: "No term of imprisonment can cure the angst Mrs Larsson and her daughter have suffered, are suffering and will continue to suffer for the foreseeable future."

Speaking after the hearing, John Larsson's son-in-law Tim Carter spoke on behalf of the victims' family, saying: "No prison term can represent the loss of a dear father, devoted husband, loving brother, granddad and uncle to our three children.

"The consequences of Mr Cann's selfish, stupid and very dangerous driving will live with us for the rest of our lives.

"Our devastation of learning that John had been killed was compounded a few weeks later when Stephen died."