Debra Hare, 57, was driving on the B4204 between Clifton-upon-Teme and Tenbury Wells when she drove straight across a crossroads at more than 40mph, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Prosecution barrister Dean Easthope said it was there she crashed into a white Ford Transit van after not noticing a number of signs warning of the junction with the B4203 between Worcester and Bromyard at Upper Sapey.

He said the driver, 66-year-old Malcolm Clews, was thrown out the open window and became trapped under the van which had rolled into a nearby garden. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Neither Mr Clews, who had recently retired from work, or his passenger, brother-in-law Mr Garvey, were wearing a seatbelt, but Judge Nicholas Cartwright said it was purely speculative if that would have made a difference to the tragic outcome.

Mr Garvey was in hospital for 10 days with injuries caused in the crash on June 2, 2021, as well as having to wear a neck brace for four months and unable to drive for six months.

The pair, travelling in the van towards Bromyard, had been fishing, but left earlier than planned after not catching anything, Mr Easthope said.

He also told the court that Hare, of Illytd Road in Cardiff, admitted she was at fault immediately and had not seen the warning signs and had the impression the road continued straight, not that she had to give way to vehicles on the B4203.

The crossroads in Upper Sapey, near Bromyard, where the B4203 and B4204 meet. Picture: Google Maps

The crossroads at Upper Sapey were also described as “crash cluster site” and both cars rolled and landed in a nearby garden.

Defence barrister Charles Row said Hare had been deeply affected by causing the death, and had become a recluse as a result. Her daughter described her as a bubbly person before the crash, but she had become a shadow of her former self.

Hare, driving a black Peugeot 2008, was also injured in the crash but discharged herself from hospital on the same day as she didn’t feel worthy of treatment after killing Mr Clews.

Mr Row said Hare was “devastated” and “wrung through with remorse”, and she was also suffering from depression and anxiety as a result of the fatal crash.

He said there was no suggestion of any bad driving before the crash, and she had successful negotiated other hazards such as a cyclist and horse rider in the moments leading up to it.

Jailing Hare for eight months for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, the judge said Mr Clews’ van would have been visible to anyone who slowed to a virtual stop at the give way lines.

He told Hare that she “did not give way at all”, ignoring eight warning signs and driving across the junction at 44mph, leaving Mr Clews not time to react. He described her actions as “grossly careless”.

Hare, who had no previous convictions, showed genuine remorse and pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity, was also banned from driving for 16 months.