Man pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving
Gary Pearce, 59, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday (January 2), where he entered a guilty plea to the one charge of causing death by dangerous driving. The incident happened on the A56 Accrington Easterly Bypass at shortly before 8pm on Thursday October 13 2022 when a Toyota CH-R travelling north approached the roundabout at junction 8 and was struck from behind by a Mercedes Benz C220.
Both vehicles ended up on the grass with the Toyota landing on its roof. The passenger of the Toyota, a woman in her 20s from Nelson, now known to be Saniya Riaz, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital but died two days later. The driver of the Toyota, a man in his 40s from Nelson, suffered more minor injuries.
Gary Pearce, of Denton Lane, Chadderton, who was driving the Mercedes, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was initially released by police under investigation and was then charged with causing death by dangerous driving for which he appeared in court today. Pearce, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and tie, spoke to confirm his name and enter his guilty plea.
Members of Ms Riaz’s family, including her sister, brother, mother and aunt, sat in the public gallery accompanied by police liaison officers.
Pearce was released on unconditional bail for a pre-sentence report and a medical report to be prepared and will be required to return to court to be sentenced on April 19.
He was also disqualified from driving on an interim basis, with the length of time to be decided upon conclusion of his sentence hearing.