Driver Melanie Last tells court she was devastated about crash that killed William Plewman on A146 near Thurton
The courts in Norwich. Picture: Adrian Judd. - Credit: Archant
A woman accused of causing a crash in which a 78-year-old man died told a jury she was 'devastated' about what happened.
Melanie Last, 50, is accused of causing death by careless driving of William Plewman in a three-car crash on the A146, near Thurton.
Norwich Crown Court heard that Last, of Burlingham Drive, Carlton Colville, was driving a black BMW towards Norwich, when she is alleged to have had a 'momentary lapse' and drifted onto the wrong side of the road, causing a collision which left her and two other drivers with serious injuries.
Mazda pick-up driver Mr Plewman, who lived in Stratford Upon Avon, received serious internal injuries, from which he died.
Last has denied causing the death by careless driving of Mr Plewman on June 29, 2015.
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Giving evidence to the jury, Last, who has been driving for over 30 years and passed an advanced driving course, said she accepted her car crossed into the other carriageway but cannot not explain how it happened.
She said she could not remember anything about the collision, but accepted her car crossed into the opposite carriageway.
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'I accept my car was there and I am sorry that it happened. I am devastated about it.'
She added: 'What I just don't understand is why? No one has explained how or why and what I might have done to prevent it.'
Last said: 'I don't believe I did anything wrong.'
She said she could not recall doing anything to put anyone in jeopardy or why her car drifted.
She said she was cut free from her car by firefighters and spent six days in hospital. She said she was badly bruised and cut and suffered fractures in her lower back, arms and smashed her kneecap.
Last said: 'I only recall the fireman telling me there was going to be a bang. I don't remember being removed from the vehicle.'
In cross-examination prosecutor Philip Farr suggested the most likely cause of the crash was 'driver error' to which Last replied: 'I would like to think it is not driver error.'
The trial continues.
