Drink driver, 39, killed partner in passenger seat and smashed into 22 cars after all-day session
A driver who spent all day drinking before ploughing into 22 parked cars in a horror crash that killed his partner has been jailed.
Robert Monks, 39, and his girlfriend Kelly Pearce, 40, had been drinking in several pubs before the horrifying crash in Hewas Water, near Truro, Cornwall.
Monks lost control of his Vauxhall Vectra, and crashed into Andrew Toms Car Sales, a car dealership, destroying 22 cars parked outside.
Ms Pearce died in the crash, and now Monks has been jailed for five years after appearing at Truro Crown Court.
Monks was due to stand trial last week following the crash on June 25, 2017, charged with causing death by dangerous driving whilst over the drink-drive limit.
But in the end, the court accepted the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving whilst over the drink-drive limit.
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Opening the case, Mr Piers Norsworthy said: ‘Ms Pearce was the front seat passenger in the car when it left the road at Andrew Toms garage on the A390 road to Truro.
‘The car left the road, crossed the verge, hit a traffic sign before colliding with cars on the forecourt.
‘Members of the public and paramedics did what they could but Ms Pearce died at the scene.
‘Ms Pearce died of a significant head injury.
‘Earlier that day Mr Monks and Ms Pearce had visited a number of pubs and consumed alcohol.’
Mr Norsworthy said a calculation of the alcohol in Monks’ blood showed 97 micrograms in 100 ml of blood, although it could have been higher.
Monks’ speed at the time of the crash was calculated at 77mph in a 50mph limit and neither he nor Ms Pearce were found to be wearing a seatbelt.
Defending Monks, Emily Cook said: ‘May I make it clear that Mr Monks takes full and sole responsibility for the accident and death of Kelly Pearce.
‘He received serious head injuries in the accident and has a previous drink-drive offence against him but is otherwise of good character.
‘He has lost his partner of 10 years. They were a strong couple and it is difficult to lose her but all the more difficult when he was to blame.’
Sentencing Monks to five years, Judge Simon Carr said: ‘Ms Pearce’s injuries were unsurvivable.
‘I accept your suffered serious injuries yourself and lost your partner of 10 years but it was through your own decision.’
