Man died in Tesco car park collision after driver's foot 'slipped from brake'

North Wales Live

a day ago

An elderly driver's foot "slipped" onto the accelerator in a Tesco car park before he caused the death of a man. Timothy Field, 81, crashed into David Lumb in the supermarket car park in Newtown, Powys.
Mr Lumb, 78, was taken to hospital but died 17 days later. Caernarfon Crown Court today heard Mr Lumb's widow Jean called for "forgiveness and leniency" following the tragedy.
The judge Her Honour Nicola Jones said Mrs Lumb's attitude was remarkable and rare. She gave Field, of Red Lane, Tregodva, Shropshire, an eight-month prison sentence for causing death by careless driving but suspended it for 12 months. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here
Prosecutor Sion ap Mihangel said Mr and Mrs Lumb had been to Tesco in Newtown on March 18 last year. She returned to their car while Mr Lumb used the toilets.
The defendant, who was in a red Jeep, asked Mrs Lumb, who was sitting in her parked Dodge Nitro car driver's seat, if she was about to leave. The prosecutor said: "It appeared to Mrs Lumb that he (Mr Field) was anxious to park in the same spot.
"She replied they would have to wait a minute as her husband was on his way." Mr Lumb then came out of Tesco and walked in front of the red Jeep.
But the Jeep drove forward and collided with Mr Lumb, knocking him to the ground, said the prosecutor. He was in front of its passenger side.
The Jeep then went forward again, going over his leg. Mrs Lumb initially thought her husband had fallen over but then noticed blood from his nose and temple.
Mr ap Mihangel said: "He was laughing and she (Mrs Lumb) did not think he was seriously injured. (But) others at the scene were noticeably angry towards the defendant, who repeatedly said he was sorry."
Emergency services were called. Field later told police he had been looking for a disabled parking space, adding: "My foot became wedged between both pedals," adding that his car "lurched forward".
The court heard after hitting Mr Lumb the Jeep continued and collided with another car. Field said he "was in shock" and that he co-operated with the emergency services.
Mr Lumb was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The casualty, who was already on blood thinners, had suffered tissue damage and bled extensively into his left leg.
The tissue died in his leg and he was in "complete agony". There were discussions about an amputation but by April 4 it was not viable.
Mr Lumb, of Carno, developed sepsis and died that day, seventeen days after the collision.
The court heard the couple had been married for 45 years. Mrs Lumb's husband, a former engineer, had a passion for archery, wood carving and a pilot's licence.
Mrs Lumb read a statement from the witness box today. She said Mr Lumb - Dave to her - had been a "blunt Yorkshireman with a dry sense of humour and kind".
They had even "joked" in hospital that he could compete in archery in the Paralympics.
But his condition deteriorated. She said he told her to get some sleep and she left. Mrs Lumb said: "The hospital rang me three hours later to say that he had died. When I went to the hospital to see him he still had a smile on his face."
Mrs Lumb said Mr Lumb was a role model in accepting adversity. Today she also said: "I comforted Mr Field and told him we would not be pressing charges."
She said Field has now had his punishment and called for "compassion and leniency" from the judge. The judge Her Honour Nicola Jones told the defendant his "foot had slipped from the brake onto the accelerator and become wedged in that divide, colliding with Mr Lumb and running him over".
The court heard Field has given up driving but the judge disqualified him from driving for two years. He must pass an extended retest before he ever drives again.
She said Mr Lumb had been a "quietly remarkable man" and added that Mrs Lumb herself had shown "resilience, compassion and forgiveness" which was rare and that it had been an "honour" to meet her.