A cocaine-addled driver who jumped a red light causing a giant agricultural tanker to plough into a row of terrace houses has said he is “devastated” at the carnage. Matthew Cumpsty, 52, was snorting cocaine when his Mercedes E220 driving through a road junction, hitting a JCB tractor pulling a double-axled trailer containing animal waste in April this year.
Chester Magistrates Court heard the 6.30am impact caused the 31 tonne tractor and tanker to smash into two houses destroying their front facades. One householder had to flee in his pyjamas as his sofa and curtain spilled out into the front garden. The property was subsequently rendered structurally unsafe. None of the occupants of the buildings were injured.
Inquiries revealed Cumpsty was under the influence of Benzoylecgonine (BZE), the breakdown product of cocaine. He told police he could not recall seeing a red traffic light.
Cumpsty, of Great Broughton, Chester, admitted drug driving and dangerous driving and was slapped with 200 hours of unpaid work and 16-month road ban.
Earlier prosecutor Andy Page said: “The two vehicles involved were a Mercedes being driven by Mr Cumpsty and a tractor being driven by a Mr Watt.
“About 6.30am Mr Watt was travelling on Vicars Cross Road heading from Chester city centre and his tractor was pulling a double axled trailer along with animal waste.
“On approaching the junction with Green Lane the traffic light system was showing a green light. As he proceeded through the junction, Mr Cumpsty’s Mercedes drove out from Green Lane and there was a collision.
“As a result the tractor was sent across to the other side of the carriage way and into the two houses. A witness driving behind the tractor said the Mercedes emerged from Green Lane and collided with the tractor.
“He said Mr Watt’s tractor bounced down the road before colliding with two houses. The light for Mr Watt was clearly green.”
Cumpsty was given a road side drug wipe which tested positive for cocaine. A subsequent blood test showed he had 65 micrograms of BZE per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mcg/l.
Mr Page added: “The defendant was interviewed at Blacon Police Station and he said he had a comprehensive knowledge of the junction.
“He said he regularly drives down the road and he could not recall the red light. He accepted his standard of driving fell below that of a careful and competent driver.
“Mr Cumpsty was insured and any compensation will be covered by the insurance company.”
Both Cumpsty and the tractor driver were treated in hospital but later discharged.
Representing himself Cumpsty, who had a previous caution for unlawful drug possession from 2008, said he was “devastated” at what had happened.
“I would just like to say I have never been in trouble before,” he added. He was also ordered to pay £199 in costs and surcharge.
A fundraiser launched for one of the affected residents, Darren Kearn, 44, raised £3,365. Mr Kearn said: “It is very shocking – it does sort of bring a knot to your stomach.
“When you get to 44 you don’t think about having to replace everything that you own and start over again.”