Truck driver admits causing death of PC

West Yorkshire policeman Mark Goodlad, who died in the crash

A SHOLVER lorry driver has admitted causing the death of a police officer as he helped a stranded motorist on a motorway hard shoulder.

But Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday how it has still not been established why Andrew Abernethy’s truck left the M1 near Wakefield — trapping PC Mark Goodlad between his police car and another car.

Prosecutors said the incident showed classic signs of a “sleep-related” collision - but investigators found no evidence Abernethy had worked excessive hours or had little sleep. Abernethy maintained he was distracted by a pain in his eye.

The driver (45), of Rembrandt Walk, admitted causing death by dangerous driving. His Scania articulated lorry hit a marked BMW X5 patrol car and a Suzuki Swift on the south-bound M1 last October. PC Goodlad (41) was between the two cars. Abernethy will be sentenced next month and was granted bail.

Andrew Dallas, prosecuting, told the court that Abernethy told police that the collision happened because he had sudden pain in his eye.

But Mr Dallas said there was an “inherent improbability of the eye distraction representing the whole explanation for this”.

Gary Woodhall, defending, told the court his client had done nothing to make him sleepy or missed sleep.


Our website carries only a small number of heavily-edited stories from tonight’s print and eChron editions
Follow us on Twitter @oldhamchronicle