Driver admits killing neighbours

A motorist today admitted causing the deaths of two Willenhall neighbours who died in a head-on collision as they travelled in a taxi back from a shopping trip.

Timothy Summers, aged 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving at Coventry Crown Court this morning.

It comes more than 18 months after care worker Merline Ebanks and her neighbour Edith Haynes, of Douglas Davies Close, Short Heath, died when their taxi collided with Summers' Mitsubishi Evo.

The accident in September 2007, which also involved another car and a van, happened in Willenhall Road, Darlaston, as the pair returned from the nearby Asda, in St Lawrence Way.

Mrs Haynes, aged 66, died at the scene, while Miss Ebanks, aged 50, was airlifted to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, where she died. The drivers of both the van and the taxi were hurt but later recovered.

Summers, of Acorn Road, Ashmore Park, Wolverhampton, was recently arrested and charged after a lengthy police investigation. He was also seriously injured in the accident, and appeared in court today dressed in jeans and a shirt and only spoke to enter his plea.

Few details of the tragedy were given in court today. Summers was bailed to return to the Coventry court to be sentenced sometime in June or July.

Honorary Judge Toby Hooper QC told him: "You can expect to receive a long custodial sentence."

The deaths of the two friends sent shockwaves through the community in Short Heath and family members of the victims were at the court today to see Summers enter his guilty pleas.

Relatives of Miss Ebanks told the Express & Star they hoped justice would be done, but that they would never get over the loss of the former care worker.

She had one daughter, Tracey Ebanks, and lived in Douglas Davies Close.

Jason Collins, aged 37, from Beacon Road, New Invention, and partner of Tracey said: "She was just a wonderful gentle woman who would do anything for anybody.

"She was a carer at an old people's home for many years and she was a very caring woman.

"She was a special grandmother and my two children just loved her. My son is still receiving counselling because he misses her so much."

"Merline and Edith grew up together and they had been friends for decades.

"They would spend a lot of time with each other and go shopping together. Edith was also a lovely lady."

He said the family were still desperately trying to come to terms with her death nearly two years on. He added: "We are just hoping justice will be done."

Following her death, the family of Mrs Haynes told of their devastation.

A statement issued through police read: "Edith was a devoted mother, grandmother and sister."

The taxi driver, Muktar Miah, aged 52, of Park Lane, Wednesbury, suffered broken legs in the accident.