Driver (74) had ‘brain freeze’ on M1 on way to Carlingford

(Stock image) The Argus

A 74-year-old former councillor and retired history lecturer, on her way to Carlingford to research a book, had a 'brain freeze' on the motorway, causing a lorry to crash into the back of her car.

That evidence was given when Sylvia Anginotti, Ashurst Drive, Sheffield, England, appeared before the district court after being summonsed for dangerous driving on the M1 at Ballynahattin, Dundalk, on 28 July 2022.

Sgt Laura Blanche said that the incident was reported at 8.45pm. A white Scania lorry had collided into the rear of a Fiat 500 driven by the defendant.

A passenger in the car was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Dashcam footage from the lorry showed that the Fiat had 'come to a complete stop', blocking Lane 1 and the hard shoulder.

The lorry driver couldn't avoid going into the back of the car.

Counsel for Ms Anginotti said she had travelled from Sheffield to be in court and was on crutches following the accident.

On this occasion, accompanied by her husband, she was seeking to leave the motorway at Junction 18 on the way to Carlingford to research a book about a local family.

The defendant had a 'brain freeze' and got 'caught' between the hard shoulder and first lane.

Counsel added that his client was for decades a local representative in Sheffield and a retired history lecturer.

Judge McKiernan decided to reduce the summons to careless driving.

Ms Anginotti was fined EUR300.

The court used its discretion not to impose a driving disqualification.