No 'clear' reason for A43 crash that left bus driver with broken back
The Corby man behind the wheel that smashed into a bus on the A43 near Kettering was seen drifting into the oncoming carriageway by motorists in the seconds before the crash.
The driver of the bus suffered serous ‘irreversible’ injuries in the crash and has never been able to return to work. Two female passengers were also seriously injured.
Some of those hurt in the crash were in court last Friday (March 20) to see the Audi driver sentenced.
The court heard that Taurai Chawuke was driving his vehicle on the A43 at Broughton, towards Kettering, late on the afternoon of Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Recorder Michael Burrows, sentencing, said that the motorist behind Chawuke, 37, reported him as driving ‘unremarkably’ and within the speed limit.
"You were both overtaken by another vehicle,” said Recorder Burrows.
“And for some reason you crossed the carriageway and collided with the oncoming bus. The bus was wholly within its lane.”
Three people on the bus were injured in the crash, and Chawuke had to be taken to hospital.
"It’s not clear why you drove onto the other carriageway.
"There’s no evidence to suggest anything close to dangerous driving. There’s no evidence to suggest you were under the influence of drugs, you weren’t distracted and you were badly injured yourself. There’s nothing to point to erratic driving, drink or drugs. There’s nothing in your medical history to suggest you may have suffered a dissociative episode.
“By your own account you hadn’t had much sleep. Lack of sleep might well explain this incident. It’s a possibility that can’t be excluded.”
The driver of the car in front of the bus had given a witness statement that said that Chawuke had crossed into the carriageway and almost crashed into him, but that he had taken ‘no evasive action’. Recorder Burrows said that might support the case that he had fallen asleep.
The bus driver suffered a fractured spine, pelvis and serious lacerations to her shins.
She had to be in a thoracic brace for three months her mobility has been permanently affected. She needs help with everyday tasks and can no longer walk her dogs.
The court heard that she has never been able to return to work and her condition is ‘irreversible’.
A passenger in her 70s who was still working as a carer when the bus crashed suffered a fracture to her breast bone, spending 12 days in hospital.
A second female passenger had a serious head injury and also hurt her knees. She suffered ongoing pain in the months that followed the crash.
Chawuke, formerly of Douglas Road, Corby, and now of Sleford Close, Blasham, Cambridge, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The court heard he had no previous convictions and a good driving record.
He was given eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. Chawuke was banned from driving for three years. He will also have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and will have to pay £1,000 in costs.