A man whose dangerous driving on a stretch of the M40 caused the death of a woman in her 50s has been handed a jail sentence of seven years and eight months.
The collision occurred on September 28, 2024, between Junction 11 for Banbury, Oxfordshire and 12 for Gaydon, Warwickshire.
Akash Deep Singh was driving on the M40 near Banbury when his van collided with an SUV. The driver of the SUV was killed and her passenger seriously injured. Singh, 23, should not have been driving at the time of the accident, having previously been disqualified.
He initially pleaded not guilty to the offence of causing death by dangerous driving, but changed his plea prior to the trial. He also pleaded guilty to causing death by driving whilst disqualified and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The Road Traffic Act 1988 defines dangerous driving as driving that falls well below the standard expected of a careful and competent driver. In these instances, it should be obvious to such a driver that their driving is unmistakably dangerous.
The consequences of being found guilty in a serious road traffic offence can be life changing. If a driver is facing charges of causing death by dangerous driving, solicitors can give specialist advice and support.
A solicitor may, for example, advise on when and whether to offer a guilty plea and indicate likely sentences, taking into account the circumstances of the case, any previous convictions and any other relevant factors.