Diabetic jailed for dangerous driving

Dec 9 2007

A British man has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving because he experienced a diabetic blackout while behind the wheel of his car.

The man, Phillip Willey aged 46 had been a diabetic for 10 years, but was negligent regarding his health and as a result district nurse, Suzanne Meredith died of multiple injuries after Willey's car hit her.

Willey from Penarth in South Wales had not attended his diabetes clinic for six years and did not attend his annual review or provide blood glucose test results.

Neither did he carry with him sweets or food which would have prevented a hypoglycaemic attack.

He had also not notified the road licensing authorities about his condition.

Willey was told by Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC that he was guilty of "gross mismanagement" of his condition and sentenced to four-and-a-half years jail for causing death by dangerous driving.

He was told that a lump of sugar could have prevented the tragedy.

Willey apparently "mowed down" mother-of-three, 54 year old Suzanne Meredith as he drove home while she and her husband were walking near their home, in Sully, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Mrs Meredith was a nurse who had worked with diabetics, her husband Julian was badly hurt when they were struck by Willey's car.

Paramedics at the scene who tested Willey’s blood sugar recorded a level of 1.9 millimoles per litre; the lowest recommended level for diabetics is four millimoles per litre.

Witnesses to the accident described Willey’s driving of his Subaru Legacy as "psychotic and terrible".

Willey, who had been driving home from his job at RAF St Athan, admitted causing Mrs Meredith’s death by dangerous driving and was very remorseful.

Following the sentencing the Meredith family urged diabetics to carefully monitor their condition.

Diabetes UK also urged diabetic drivers to be extra vigilant on the roads for the safety of themselves and others and said diabetics had to inform the DVLA of their condition.

Diabetes UK says diabetics are given advice on driving by doctors and nurses, but some people slip through the net.

They advise diabetics to check their blood sugar levels before they drive, and carry sweets or high sugared drinks in the car as driving can be very stressful and the release of adrenaline can alter blood glucose levels.

Diabetics are also urged to stop as soon as they feel an attack coming on.

Experts say people with diabetes must monitor their condition "throughout their lives, day in day out" for their own safety and that of others.