A man, Ross Jackson, has been sentenced to jail after causing a serious head-on collision that left a mother and daughter injured. The incident occurred on the A697 near Wooler, Northumberland when Jackson, 26, recklessly overtook multiple vehicles at a speed of 98mph, leading to his VW Golf flipping over and colliding with other cars. The dangerous maneuver took place on November 10, 2023, during busy traffic hours.

Newcastle Crown Court revealed that Jackson was speeding at 80 to 90mph in a 60mph zone as he dangerously maneuvered past a line of cars, prompting a woman to swerve onto a curb to avoid a collision. The crash resulted in a direct impact with an Audi Q3 carrying a woman and her mother, causing the Golf to somersault in the air before landing upside down.

The older woman in the Audi sustained severe injuries, including a fractured sternum and broken ribs, while her daughter suffered significant whiplash. Both victims expressed the profound impact the accident had on their lives, with the daughter mentioning the loss of her businesses due to anxiety and PTSD resulting from the crash.

Tragically, Jackson’s dog, which was in the car during the collision, was fatally injured and had to be euthanized. Investigations revealed that Jackson was traveling at 98mph at the time of impact, creating a combined impact speed exceeding 100mph.

During sentencing, Judge Graham Robinson emphasized the severity of Jackson’s actions, labeling the overtaking maneuver as highly dangerous and irresponsible. Jackson, hailing from Selkirk, Scotland, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and received a 28-month jail term along with a three-year driving ban.

In his defense, Jackson’s lawyer, Brian Hegarty, highlighted his client’s remorse and lack of prior offenses, attributing the crash to a misjudgment during the overtaking attempt. Hegarty emphasized Jackson’s positive character and work ethic, stating that the incident was an anomaly in an otherwise blameless life.