Driver jailed for killing pedestrian after defying warnings over epilepsy

A motorist who killed a pedestrian after having an epileptic fit at the wheel despite being warned he was unfit to drive has been jailed.

Stuart Lusher was driving in south London to visit his gravely ill wife in hospital when he had a seizure as he stopped at a red traffic light at 1.40pm on June 27 last year.

The fit caused him to drive his Mazda SUV on to the pavement where it hit 48-year-old Phil Westnott from behind, trapping him under the car.

Mr Westnott suffered a catastrophic head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene in Merantun Way, Merton.

A police investigation found Lusher, 56, from Benhill Wood Road, Sutton, had a history of epilepsy and chronic sleep apnoea and had ignored numerous warnings from medical professionals not to drive.

He was jailed for three and a half years at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, Scotland Yard said. He was also given a lifetime ban from driving.

Detective Sergeant Jeff Edwards, from the Met's serious collision investigation unit, said: "I must firstly pay tribute to family of Mr Westnott for their dignity and courage during this difficult investigation.

"Mr Lusher's decision to drive, despite warnings from medical staff, resulted in a terrible collision that cost an innocent man his life."