Driver fined over ‘momentary lapse’ that killed teacher

A man who admitted that his driving caused the death of an “inspirational” teacher in a head-on collision last year has put flowers at the scene of the fatal crash and met with the victim’s family yesterday, a court heard.

Alice Strain, aged 45, of Dungarvan, Co Waterford, was fatally injured when the car being driven by her fiance, Pat Crowley, collided with a van that veered onto its incorrect side of the road in a “momentary lapse”.

The driver of the van, Frans Coenraad, aged 44, of Meeuewenstraat, Goor, the Netherlands, pleaded guilty at Waterford Circuit Court yesterday to dangerous driving, causing the death of Ms Strain, and serious bodily harm to Mr Crowley.