A DRIVER who skidded on black ice and crashed into an oncoming car has been cleared of causing death by careless driving.

Logistics co-ordinator James Wilkinson, of Market Street, Charlbury, denied the charge and was unanimously cleared by a jury at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

The 25-year-old’s Volkswagen Polo collided with Jane Sandalls’ Peugeot 106 on the B4437 Woodstock Road, near Charlbury, on January 21.

Ms Sandalls, 26, died from serious head injuries the following day.

In her closing speech, Mr Wilkinson’s barrister Lucy Tapper told the court: “James Wilkinson didn’t lose his life at the scene of the accident, but it seems he will never be the same again.

“He’s 25 years old and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The tragedy that happened on that day cannot be repaired.”

She added: “It wasn’t caused by the actions of one person but by the inescapable consequences of skidding on black ice.”

Judge Anthony King praised jurors for their attention “in what has been an extremely sad case”.