DVLA could prosecute lorry driver for non-declaration of prior health problems in England or Wales
THE driver of a bin lorry that veered out of control killing six in December 2014 could face prosecution for the non-disclosure of his history of blackouts.
Crown officials have already declared that the driver, who passed out at the wheel of his lorry on 22 December during the accident, cannot be prosecuted because he had received a “no proceedings” letter in advance of the fatal accident inquiry into the crash.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has now said that it may prosecute Clarke in England or Wales for failing to disclose elements of his medical history when applying with them for his Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence.
Clarke has a history of blackouts and dizzy spells going back to his first reported episode in 1989. The fatal accident inquiry has been told he did not disclose this medical history when applying to the DVLA.
Dr Wynn Parry, the chief medical officer for the DVLA told the inquiry that the option of pushing for the prosecution of Clarke in other parts of the UK was under consideration but that no decision had yet been made.
The Crown Office has come under pressure for its decision in February 2015 to inform Clarke that he would not be prosecuted before the inquiry could hear about his history of blackouts.
The family of one of the victims of the crash, Jacqueline Morton, has called for Clarke to be prosecuted over the accident.
The six killed in the accident were Erin Mcquade, 18, Jack Sweeny, 68, Lorraine Sweeny, 69, Stephenie Tate, 29, Jacqulien Morton, 51, and Gillian Ewing 52.
Picture courtesy of StressedTechy