Van driver sentenced to jail for causing fatal crash with retired pharmacist

A van driver has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison after causing the death of a retired pharmacist who was returning from a holiday in Scotland. The tragic accident occurred in September 2023 near Meikleour when the 31-year-old driver, David Cooper, failed to stop at a junction, colliding with the 69-year-old victims Mercedes.

Stephen Painter was driving home with his wife, Louise, in the car when the crash happened. Cooper had admitted to causing the death through careless driving, including neglecting to observe warning signs and failing to stop at the crossroads.

During the sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Armstrong emphasized that imprisonment was the only suitable penalty for the offense. Cooper, formerly from Blyth, Northumberland, also received a driving ban of three years and ten months.

The collision caused the Painters Mercedes and caravan to spin off the road, while the van hit a trailer being towed by a tractor. Advocate depute Lindsey Dalziel told the court that the crash resulted from Coopers failure to properly notice the stop sign and other warning signals.

Mrs. Painter recounted witnessing the van approaching rapidly and realizing the collision was imminent. Mr. Painter sustained fatal chest injuries in the crash.

Defense counsel Euan Dow noted that the junction had a history of accidents and had been subject to safety improvements. He added that Cooper was not speeding or distracted, but admitted his lapse in observing the traffic signs. Cooper expressed remorse, acknowledging the pain and loss his actions caused the Painter family.

Author: Benjamin Carter