Elderly driver killed two women after ignoring warnings about his poor eyesight | UK News

A motorist who drove with an eye condition so severe he would have struggled to see his steering wheel knocked down and killed two women.

Glyn Jones, 68, was told by his optician and GP on several occasions his vision was well below the standard required for driving.

But he did not inform the DVLA or insurers and got behind the wheel of his Audi A3 which struck friends Marie Cunningham, 79, and Grace Foulds, 85, as they crossed the road in Southport, Merseyside, on November 30 2021.

Both were taken to hospital from the scene in Lulworth Road, but died in hospital from multiple catastrophic injuries.

Jones later failed a roadside eye test.

On Friday, Jones, of Blackgate Lane, Tarleton, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to seven years and four months in jail, said Merseyside Police.

He was also banned from driving for nine years and 10 months after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, police added.

In a statement issued through police, Ms Cunningham’s family said: ‘On the 30th November 2021 we lost a woman that cared more about helping her friend across the road than getting herself home. Doing what she did best, helping others.

‘Over the last two years, we have lived and breathed the trauma, grief, frustration, anxiety, but most of all, the sadness and loss of our beautiful mum.

‘Because of Jones’s neglect our lives will be forever changed by that moment in time. Mum’s life was taken away and ours was ripped apart.

‘Nothing can bring mum back. This tragedy was unnecessary and avoidable, through selfishness, recklessness, a clear disregard for the law and the safety of others on the road we are all here living this trauma today.

‘As a family we must now try to cope with the tragic and sad loss of our dear mum, grandmother, and great grandmother.’

Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, lead investigating officer, said: ‘This is an extremely sad case in which two women lost their lives and our thoughts, sympathies and support very much remain with both families.

‘It has been a long and complicated investigation that required detailed analysis of the eyesight records of Mr Jones by an expert optometrist with over 40 years’ experience in the field. He concluded Mr Jones’ vision was well below the standard required for driving a vehicle and he was informed of this on several occasions by opticians and his GP.

‘He chose to ignore this and continued to drive despite the expert optometrist concluding that his vision without any correction would have been so poor that he would not have managed to see the steering wheel of his vehicle clearly.

‘This was an entirely preventable collision where the decisions made by Mr Jones have resulted in devastating consequences, leaving two families grieving and his own life being ruined.

‘I hope that this sends out a strong message to all motorists. There are potentially life-changing consequences for failing to meet the driving standards and laws of our roads.

‘It is vitally important that drivers have their eyes tested regularly and, if needed, wear the appropriate corrective lens/glasses. Drivers should also notify insurers and the DVLA of any notifiable medical conditions or disabilities – of which there are over 180 of them that can be viewed on the DVLA website.’

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