A court was informed that a man driving with three children in his vehicle intentionally drove into oncoming traffic to end his life and that of his passengers. Tancredo Bankhardt allegedly orchestrated a road collision with the intention of committing suicide and harming the children. The incident occurred on the A146 near Loddon, Norfolk, on September 26 of the previous year.
According to prosecutor Stephen Rose KC, Bankhardt, aged 41 and residing on Saxon Road, Great Yarmouth, deliberately drove at high speed into oncoming vehicles, ensuring that none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts. This reckless act resulted in a serious collision involving multiple vehicles, causing serious injuries but fortunately no fatalities.
Bankhardt is facing three charges of attempted murder and three charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He denies all accusations, claiming that the collision was not intentional and instead a tragic accident. Additionally, he is denying a seventh count of dangerous driving.
The prosecutor revealed that Bankhardt spent about two hours driving along the A146 before the collision occurred on the Loddon bypass, where the speed limit is 60mph. The vehicle’s dashcam data indicated a speed of around 74mph just before the collision.
The trial, expected to last up to three weeks, is ongoing as Bankhardt contests the charges brought against him.
