A TRUCKER convicted of causing a man's death by dangerous driving on the A66 has been jailed for two years.

At Carlisle Crown today, Judge Barbara Forrester told lorry driver Ashley Cole (57) that his driving on the day of the tragedy had caused significant danger to other road users.

The fatal crash happened as he was rejoining the A66 outside Stainmore cafe and allowed his trailer to straddle the entire width of the east-bound carriageway.

Haltwhistle man Jamie Armstrong's Audi collided with the truck and he suffered a catastrophic head injury, the court heard.

Cole had earlier admitted the offence of causing the death by careless driving, but he denied his driving was dangerous.

The accident happened in darkness at 5.20am on September 8 in 2016.

Prosecutor Charles Brown told Judge Barbara Forrester that the defendant had previously had a long and blameless driving record.
"He called the emergency services and he has shown genuine remorse," said the barrister.
Defence barrister David James said the defendant and his wife had written to Mr Armstrong's family, expressing their deep sorrow and regret.

He described Cole as a hard-working family man.

The barrister added: "Everyone in the area is aware of the peril of certain parts of the A66 and one would hope that Highways England would at least take the opportunity to reflect on and may be review what could be the systems there: signs for lorry drivers as the nature of the junction."

Judge Forrester said the events of September 8, 2016, had been a tragedy for two families and that had become clear through the trial. Mr Armstrong was highly regarded and the evidence showed Cole bitterly regretted his actions that day.
"There was nothing you intended to do to cause harm to anybody," the judge told Cole.

She imposed a two year driving ban on Cole and ruled that he must sit an extended retest before he can drive unaccompanied.