Motorist with genetic eye disorder jailed and stripped of driving licence for life after killing pensioner

A visually impaired driver has been stripped of his driving licence and sentenced to a hefty jail term after causing a road fatality in Wales.

The motorist who had a genetic eye disorder has been jailed for more than six-and-a-half years after causing the death of an 84-year-old woman crossing the road in Pengam.

Andrew Perry, 56, was sentenced to six years and 10 months imprisonment at Newport Crown Court and has been banned from driving for life.

The incident took place on Thursday, February 22, 2024, when Gwent Police received a report of a road traffic collision involving a red Ford Focus driven by Mr Perry, from Glan-y-Nant, and Gaynor James in Commercial Street, Pengam, at around 1.05pm.

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Ms James was taken to the hospital with a life-threatening condition, where she sadly died from her injuries.

Officers investigating the collision discovered Mr Perry was diagnosed with Stargardt disease in 2001 and had been living with this degenerative eye condition for more than 23 years.

The disease is a notifiable condition that must be reported to the DVLA, with drivers legally required to inform the authority if their vision deteriorates below the required driving standards.

Guide Dogs UK stated: "Stargardt disease is an inherited condition that affects the retina in both eyes, causing progressive loss of central vision.

"It usually begins in childhood or early teenage years, and the rate of vision loss varies from person to person. Stargardt disease affects visual acuity (the sharpness of your vision), so it may affect whether you can drive."

Failing to inform the DVLA can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and prosecution if involved in an accident.

Ms James' daughters, Rhian Brooke and Cerys Phillips, said: "Our dear mother, Mrs Gaynor James, is remembered, missed and loved every day by her family, friends and the community, of which she had been a part for so long.

"We will remember her kindness and her selfless, caring nature. She remains in our thoughts and prayers always."

PC Spencer Clease, the officer in the case, added: "This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life; my deepest condolences go to the family and friends of Gaynor James."

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He warned that the driver's poor eyesight, caused by Stargardt disease, was a significant and dangerous factor for this entirely preventable collision.

"He should not have been driving. Mr Perry's decision to drive with poor eyesight led to the collision, causing the death of Mrs James, who was crossing the road on her way to church," he said.

Following the collision with Ms James, the driver failed a roadside eyesight test, which involves being able to easily read a standard vehicle registration plate from a distance of 20 metres and claimed he couldn't read or write.

"Due to the overwhelming evidence gathered by officers, Mr Perry was left with little option but to plead guilty to the charge he faced in court," the officer added.

He shared: "This case should serve as a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel, you have a personal responsibility to make sure our roads are as safe as possible, and making sure your eyesight meets the standards of vision for driving is an important part of that.

"Your responsibility isn't just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you."

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