A WORCESTER man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.
Paul Bird, of Ludlow Avenue, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
In addition to the jail sentence, Bird received two years and three months for pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. This sentence will be served at the same time.
The 45-year-old was also disqualified from driving for two-and-a-half years and ordered to take an extended test at the end of his disqualification period.
It comes after Bird was involved in a crash at the junction of the B4202 and A456 at Clows Top in February 2018.
Bird failed to stop at a give way junction while travelling above the speed limit and his Lexus collided with a car Gavin and Alison Hunt were travelling in.
Gavin Hunt – an ambulance technician with West Midlands Ambulance Service – died at the scene while his wife Alison received extensive injuries.
Sgt Glenn Jones from West Mercia Police said: “This was a particularly tragic collision to deal with, which is reflected in the length of sentence given to Bird.
“We are committed to improving road safety and prioritise fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions to ensure every effort is made to bring offenders to justice.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service’s chief executive officer Anthony Marsh said: “This was a truly terrible event which has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of Gavin’s family, friends and colleagues who are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.
“Talking to many of my staff since the tragedy, I know just how much of a well-respected member of the ambulance family he was in Kidderminster and the wider trust.
“He was taken away far too soon and is greatly missed. We can only hope this sentence serves as a warning to others to drive safely at all times.”
