The family of a musician killed in a fatal car accident that also claimed the lives of five other people has agreed an out-of-court settlement that will see them receive £240k compensation.
Ian Ledsham’s widow and two sons agreed the settlement with lawyers representing the estate of Samuel Sayer, whose car ploughed into Mr. Ledsham’s. Sayer had been drinking and was speeding when the collision took place.
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After the accident in September 2005, in which he also died, Sayer was found to have been two-times over the legal drink-drive limit. His Peugeot 106 hit Mr Ledsham’s Ford Focus at a speed of around 80mph in a 50mph zone.
Four passengers in the Peugeot also died in the accident – Duncan Brown, 25, Kris Pendlebury, 21, Rogan Smart and Daniel Dewhurst, both 19.
Injury lawyers representing Mr. Ledsham’s family had been seeking a £500k payout.
At Winchester County Court, Judge Iain Hughes QC, said the crash happened “as a result of the overexuberant driving of Mr Sayer.”
He added: “The tragedy of this case is Mrs Ledsham was left a widow and Alexander and Oliver without a father.
“He was much loved as a father and was a very talented individual. This award will not provide enormous comfort to them, but it will give them some financial security.”
John Bate-Williams, for Mr Sayer’s estate, said: “On behalf of the estate and insurers we do bitterly regret the loss of all the lives in this case.
“Nothing can repair the situation and I want to express our enormous sorrow.
I’m simply saying: ‘We’re so sorry’.”
Mr Ledsham, 51, was on his way home after practising with The North Hampshire Choir – which he founded in 2002 – when the crash occured.
Mr Sayer and his friends were returning from a pub where they had watched a football match.
Mr Ledsham’s son, Alexander, the only survivor of the accident, paid tribute to his dad online, saying: “My dad was the most talented musician I know and taught me everything I know about music.
“He was a very sociable person, loved by many and all who knew him.
“He was and is my greatest musical influence and I miss him dearly.”