A WAGON driver accused of causing a Haltwhistle man’s death by dangerous driving was standing trial this week.

Jamie Armstrong died having suffered “catastrophic” head injuries when his eastbound Audi A4 was in collision with a Scania lorry at 5.20am on September 8, 2016, on the A66.

Ashley Cole (56) has admitted his careless driving caused the death of 30-year-old Mr Armstrong, but denies that his dangerous driving killed him.

He is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

On Wednesday, the jury in the trial heard the comments Cole, of Ecclesfield, near Sheffield, made during a police interview after the fatal crash.

Cole told police in the interview that he left Stainmore cafe, having spent the night there, and reached a “give way” line.

He said he saw nothing approaching from the east but then spotted two westbound HGVs.

He allowed them to pass before moving to the central reservation area. His tachograph showed he was stationary there for 15 seconds – leaving his 40ft- long furniture-laden trailer obstructing the eastbound carriageway.

“I looked to my right again and then just about to go, and then the Audi hit me. That’s as quick as it was,” he recalled.

His “mint” condition vehicle, he stated, had “got more lights on it than Blackpool Tower”.

Cole continued: “I just don’t understand why he (Mr Armstrong) had not seen me. I just don’t know why.”

Cole described an “awkward” junction which left drivers “manoeuvring across two dual carriageways”.

He concluded: “It’s just another accident waiting to happen.”

An officer asked: “Was your driving dangerous on that morning so that it caused the death of another road user, by your actions or inaction?”

Cole replied: “No.”

He was asked how he felt about what had happened and replied: “Shocking really.”

“It’s upsetting isn’t it?”

The trial continues.