Firefighter charged over woman's crash death

A firefighter is facing a charge of causing death by dangerous driving after a woman died following a crash involving a fire engine and car.

The collision happened at the junction of Crewe Road and Close Lane, in Alsager, Cheshire, shortly before 07:30 GMT on 28 March.

The 59-year-old car driver, Judy Lea from Alsager, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Stoke Hospital, where she died.

The driver of the fire engine, a 57-year-old man, has been summonsed to appear before magistrates in Crewe on 23 January to face the charge, said Cheshire Police.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had been informed by Cheshire Police that one of its firefighters had been summonsed to court to face the charge of causing death by dangerous driving following a road traffic collision in Alsager on 28 March 2025.

It could not comment on the case for legal reasons, it said, but the thoughts of the service remained with Judy Lea's family and friends.

In a tribute to Ms Lea issued by her family in April, they said her death had left a huge hole in their lives.

She had dedicated her life to a career in optometry, and was passionate about improving the quality of eye care, they said.

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