Couple lost unborn baby in Frome crash caused by van driver

Michael Snelling was at the wheel of his van when he collided with the tractor causing it to drive over the bonnet of the car travelling behind him.

The couple had been on their way for their three-month baby scan but were left with life-changing injuries following the incident and lost their unborn child as a result.

When the defendant appeared before Somerset Magistrates they were told of the harrowing circumstances and the ongoing pain and mental agony that the victims were living with.

Snelling, 31, of Critchill Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injuries to the couple by driving without due care and attention on Marston Road in Frome on June 27, 2023.

The defendant was driving his VW Transporter on the A361 towards Frome with the victims driving in a car behind him when his van drifted across the double solid white lines by at least 70cm.

“He struck a tractor coming the opposite way and as a result of that collision the rear axle of the tractor shattered and it swerved uncontrollably across the road and struck the victims’ vehicle,” said prosecutor Jack Dray.

“It drove up over their bonnet and over the passenger side causing life-changing injuries to the female.

“The defendant was able to free himself from his vehicle and was shaking and panicking saying ‘I must have fallen asleep, I must have dozed off.”

The female victim sustained multiple injuries including grade four lacerations, displaced ribs, complex pelvic fractures and extensive soft tissue injuries.

She was also pregnant at the time of the collision and lost the child. Her partner suffered open arm fractures, lacerations and fractured ribs.

In a statement read to the court, the female victim said she spent six months in hospital and her days were now dominated by hospital visits and rehab.

She said she had changed from a confident, healthy person to being disabled, embarrassed and suffering with anxiety and depression.

Mr Dray said: “On the day of the accident they were going to their 12-week baby scan but instead suffered this devastating loss, and the anniversaries and birthdays of their unborn child are with her all the time.

“She said she lives with a lot of pain and mobility issues, and it has put a lot of strain on her family relationships and friends.

“Before this she was a jazz and blues singer and was on an adventure every week, however her career, social life and friendships have been taken from her, and she now suffers from memory issues and difficulty in concentrating.”

Defending solicitor Stephen Oldham said there was nothing that anyone could say that would make things better for the victims.

“They have suffered significant injuries and the victim personal statement is quite chilling to read and my client is extremely sorry about what happened on that occasion,” he said.

“He has never had any penalty points or been involved in anything like this before and has written letters of apology to both of them.”

He said that on the day in question, Snelling was driving home from work and had not been drinking and wasn’t tired.

“The comment he was said to have made at the scene was very spur of the moment and he does not think he dozed off. However at some point he drifted over the white line and the tractor was coming in the opposite direction,” he said.

“This was a momentary lapse of concentration, but the consequences have been horrendous.”

He added that the incident had also had an enormous effect on Snelling’s mental health, and he now felt sick and scared at the sight of a tractor and constantly worried about the effect it had had upon the victims.

“He has sleepless nights and recurring nightmares and is also worried about the effect upon the rest of his family.

The magistrates said they wanted to acknowledge the profound and lasting consequences on the victims, who had spent many months in hospital and lost child.

They sentenced Snelling to an 18-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for 12 months, and until an extended retest has been passed. Costs of £85 and a £114 surcharge were also imposed.