A dangerous driver was said to be "absolutely flying" before causing the death of a much-loved grandfather in a horror collision in County Durham.
Edward Bell, known as Eddie, was walking on Delves Lane, in Consett, County Durham, when he was struck by a silver Seat Leon at 11.35am on June 19, 2021. The 76-year-old was treated by paramedics but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Following Mr Bell's death, David Tolson, the driver of the Seat Leon, was arrested in connection with the incident. On Friday, he appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for one charge of causing death by dangerous driving. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.
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The court heard that Mr Bell was walking to a nearby Lidl when Tolson smashed into him at a speed of at least 57mph on Delves Lane, which is a 30mph zone in a built up area. Witnesses described Tolson as driving at high speed, with one flashing their lights at him in order to warn him of his speed before the collision.
Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said Mr Bell had left home that morning and was on his way to Lidl using the aid of a walking stick. Around the same time, witnesses saw Tolson - who should have been wearing glasses - driving towards the scene at high speed.
Mr Perks, said: "The speed limit for Delves Lane is 30mph and the collision was witnessed by several members of the public, who contacted the emergency services. The defendant got out of the car and remained at the scene. A post-mortem confirmed Mr Bell had succumbed to injuries as a direct consequence of the collision."
Mr Perks said: "There was evidence that the defendant was travelling in excess of the speed limit. One witness described the vehicle as going very fast and was absolutely flying." Mr Perks said that another witness captured Tolson's driving on their dash cam. That footage was later analysed and an investigation concluded Tolson was driving at least 57mph. A further witness resorted to flashing their headlights at Tolson in an attempt to get him to slow down.
Following the fatal collision, Tolson, who did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system, "accepted responsibility for the collision" and stated he was unsure of how fast he was driving and didn't see Mr Bell "until it was too late". He also stated that he was required to wear glasses when driving, but said he stopped following an optician's appointment when he was told his glasses were "too powerful". Tolson was not wearing glasses at the time of the collision, the court heard.
Mr Perks said: "An eyesight test was conducted at the police station and the defendant was unable to read a DVLA plate at the required 20m distance." The court heard that Tolson was told in 2013, 2017, and 2019 that he was required to wear glasses when driving.
In a victim statement, Mr Bell's daughter, Andrea Blades, said he was "much loved and the patriarch of the family" and "our hope and go-to". She said: "He was a well respected member of the community and the oldest paper boy in Consett at 76. You couldn't walk around the streets without someone asking after him." Following his death, his family said their "world stopped" and called his death a "tragic and catastrophic loss".
Mr Bell's wife also provided a statement, where she described him as "my world for 61 years" and a man who "loved his family". She said: "We all loved my husband, he was the head of our clan, he was devoted to our family." She added that Mr Bell was active for his age and was "tragically taken away from us".
Brian Hegarty, defending, said Tolson has been "deeply affected by the consequences of his actions" and said on the day of the crash, he was on his way to pick up a wallpaper steamer in order to decorate the nursery of his first-born child that was due. He said: "He is not someone who habitually speeds, he has a clean licence and I'm told he's never had any points."
Mr Hegarty said Tolson was not paying attention to his speed and was described by witnesses as being "distraught" at the scene. He said: "He went immediately to Mr Bell to see what assistance he could give. He was described as having his head in his hands and asking repeatedly what he had done. He was breaking down in tears in interview and has been put on medication, anti-depressants and sleeping tablets." Speaking of his eyesight, Mr Hegarty added Tolson was said to be "slightly short sighted" and said there was "no dispute at the speed he was travelling."
Sentencing Tolson, of Dere Road, Consett, Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said Mr Bell was an "active and hugely popular man" who had "plenty of life left to live". He said Tolson was "racing along at almost twice the speed limit" and said it was accepted Tolson drove when he should have been wearing glasses.
Tolson was jailed for 38 months and banned from driving for 78 months.
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