Injured man sues crash driver's widow

A lorry driver who was badly hurt in a head on collision is suing the widow of a motorist who died in the crash.

Graham Nicholson, 55, suffered a host of injuries when his seven-and-a-half ton lorry collided with a van being driven by builder Anthony Marfleet in 2007.

Following the crash in Powdermill Lane, Battle, Mr Marfleet was airlifted to hospital, but later died from multiple injuries.

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At an inquest into his death, East Sussex coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of accidental death and said he believed Mr Marfleet, of Park Lane in Bexhill, had probably suffered an epileptic fit at the wheel.

Now Mr Nicholson, of Mountbatten Close, Hastings, is suing Mr Marfleet's widow Zoe and his insurers, the Co-operative Insurance Society.

He claims Mr Marfleet's Toyota van was on the wrong side of the road and appeared to be trying to overtake a pair of vehicles.

Mr Nicholson claims he had no chance of avoiding the collision, which left him nursing a badly broken right thigh, an injured spine, neck, knees, right heel and big toe, as well as cuts and bruises.

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He also later developed post traumatic stress disorder, and depression.

Mr Nicholson has branded Mr Marfleet negligent, arguing he drove on the wrong side of the road, overtook when it was unsafe, failed to heed the lorry's presence, and failed to control his van properly.

A legal writ was issued this week by Stephen Wilmot of solicitors Allen Ticehurst.

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