Drug-affected driver jailed after crash killed elderly man
A fatigued man who smoked synthetic cannabis before he crashed into a taxi in Perth's south, killing a 91-year-old passenger, could walk free from jail in mid-2019.
Geoffrey William Wood fell asleep and crashed his two-tonne Nissan Navara into the back of the stationary taxi in Warnbro in October 2015.
The impact caused a four-car pile up with elderly passenger Clarence Anderson pulled from the upside down taxi, but sadly died.
Geoffrey Wood was seen on the phone after the crash. Picture: 7 News
Mr Anderson had been on his way home after undergoing surgery.
The taxi driver had to have about half of his ear amputated and suffered spinal injuries in the crash.
The deadly incident wasn’t the first time Wood had smoked synthetic cannabis and then crashed.
Mr Wood caused a taxi to flip onto its roof. Picture: 7 News
Two months before the fatal smash, Wood fell asleep at the wheel in Dawesville, drifted off the road and smashed into a concrete wall.
He tested positive for synthetic cannabis at the time, but luckily on that occasion, no one was injured.
The father-of-three appeared in the WA District Court on Wednesday and was sentenced to four years and three months in jail.
A 91-year-old passenger in the taxi died in the crash. Picture: 7 News
"There was no reason for you to drift across the road from left to right. The only explanation is that you fell asleep," Judge Bruce Goetze said.
Outside court, Wood’s lawyer said the 48-year-old was remorseful for his actions.
“He’s terribly sorry for the damage he’s caused and the loss of life, and he’s accepted his punishment and taken full responsibility for what has happened,” lawyer Terry Dobson said.
The damage to Mr Wood's ute. Picture: 7 News
The father-of-three will be eligible for parole after serving two years and three months in jail.
He’ll be able to drive again once his two-year disqualification has expired.
