Sleepy driver convicted of killing beloved wife and mother

A woman has been convicted of causing a fatal road crash after killing a beloved mother in Liskeard. Denise Yeo, 50, died in a crash on the A390 at West Taphouse at around 3pm on 20 May 2022.

Ivana Coleridge, the driver of a green Ford Fiesta involved in the crash, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Friday, May 31, after admitting causing death by careless driving. At the scene, Coleridge told officers he had momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Carr gave Coleridge an eight-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. Coleridge was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

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On the day of the fatal crash, Coleridge, 41, of Widegates, near Looe, was driving from Lostwithiel towards Liskeard when he approached a junction towards Braddock Church.

Coleridge crossed the oncoming lane and into the junction where Ms Yeo was in the Citroen C3. Following the collision, Denise was rushed to hospital, where she died a few days later from injuries sustained in the accident.

Helen Lentern, from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, said: “This case highlights the tragic consequences of falling asleep at the wheel. There are usually “warning signs” that you are too tired to drive, such as having to roll down the window or turn on the radio, weaving back and forth between lanes, you may have trouble maintaining the correct speed and you may not be able to react in time to a hazard.

“Tired drivers have slower reaction times and suffer from reduced attention, awareness and ability to control their vehicles. Research suggests that driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“At the first sign of fatigue, drivers should stop in a safe place and take a break, with two cups of coffee or a caffeinated equivalent drink recommended along with a short nap of around 15-20 minutes.

Following Ms Yeo’s death, her family issued a heartfelt tribute. Her husband said: “Denise, my beautiful wife, loving, proud and devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to so many, so cruelly taken from us. She was loved by so many and left family and friends devastated and heartbroken. at her loss, always in our hearts.”

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