Moment 86 year old drives wrong way killing ex-policeman12334
Chilling footage shows the moment an 86-year-old man drove the wrong way down a motorway moments before killing a hero ex-policeman.
Leonard Pettifer, 86, was behind the wheel of his Ford Ka when it struck former policeman Michael Copleston, 60, on the M20 near Ashford, Kent.
The pensioner, from Romney, had been visiting his wife in hospital, where he had stayed for eight hours without eating.
The footage shows Pettifer driving along the London-bound carriageway of the M20 near Ashford, Kent, despite cars flashing at him for almost three miles, before Michael's motorbike 'somersaulted' over his ca
He then joined the M20 but realised he needed to go the other way - and instead of exiting at the next junction, did a 'U' turn in the outside carriageway.
CCTV showed he did not try to stop on the hard shoulder or exit via a slip road - and continued to drive in lane three.
Pettifer has already admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of Mr Copleston last November and was this week sentenced to 18 months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.
The sentencing of Pettifer - who had held a full driving licence at the time – had been delayed because it was feared he might have a heart attack.
Judge Heather Norton imposed an immediate driving ban after an earlier court appearance, noting he had failed an eye test after the accident.
Mr Copleston, of Hawkinge, who died at the scene, was described as a devoted husband to his wife Pauline of 39 years, two children and four grandchildren.
He served in the Metropolitan Police for three decades and was an advanced motorcycle and car instructor who trained other officers in road safety.
Leonard Pettifer, 86, was behind the wheel of his Ford Ka when it struck former policeman Michael Copleston, 60, on the M20 near Ashford, Kent.
The pensioner, from Romney, had been visiting his wife in hospital, where he had stayed for eight hours without eating.
The footage shows Pettifer driving along the London-bound carriageway of the M20 near Ashford, Kent, despite cars flashing at him for almost three miles, before Michael's motorbike 'somersaulted' over his ca
He then joined the M20 but realised he needed to go the other way - and instead of exiting at the next junction, did a 'U' turn in the outside carriageway.
CCTV showed he did not try to stop on the hard shoulder or exit via a slip road - and continued to drive in lane three.
Pettifer has already admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of Mr Copleston last November and was this week sentenced to 18 months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.
The sentencing of Pettifer - who had held a full driving licence at the time – had been delayed because it was feared he might have a heart attack.
Judge Heather Norton imposed an immediate driving ban after an earlier court appearance, noting he had failed an eye test after the accident.
Mr Copleston, of Hawkinge, who died at the scene, was described as a devoted husband to his wife Pauline of 39 years, two children and four grandchildren.
He served in the Metropolitan Police for three decades and was an advanced motorcycle and car instructor who trained other officers in road safety.