A motorist who ran down and killed a cyclist after she fainted at the wheel, broke down in tears as she told the victims family she was sorry. Tracy Johnson, 36, was driving her £60,000 Range Rover Sport at the time of the accident. Sharon Corless, 43, was hit by Mrs Johnson while she was cycling with her husband, Peter Corless, 47.
The Range Rover struck into the pair of them, when Mrs Johnson became unconscious at the wheel. Mrs Corless, a hospital worker, was dragged under the wheels of the car and suffered horrific injuries. Mr Corless who was also struck down by Mrs Johnson, before smashing into another car and hitting a lamppost. Mrs Johnson then stumbled out of the car, and asked what had happened.
Later she was charged with death by dangerous driving and could have faced a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. However, earlier this year she walked free from court as medical experts ruled that she could have suffered from a reflex syncope.
A reflex syncope is a medical term which means to faint or black out and is caused by a sudden lack of blood supply to the brain, which is caused by a slowing of the heart rate.
This condition, which surprisingly doctors say is very common, occurs in about half individuals at some point during their lifetime.
Mrs Johnson broke down in tears during the inquest of Mrs Corless’s death, she said: “I didn’t know my involvement. It was only when I got to the middle of the road and looked back at my car and it was in pieces and I was like Oh my God, I’m in this accident. I don’t understand. I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart, I’m so sorry. I wish I could tell you more. I’m so sorry, I’m not lying to you. I wanted to tell you that, to explain. I was not conscious, I didn’t see them.”
The inquest heard that despite neurological and cardiological tests, no medical cause could be found for the blackout.
