Poole Man Charged With Couples Death

A motorist has been charged with killing a husband and wife in Poole, police have said.

Businessman Alan Bernard, 53, and Rochelle Bernard, 51, from Northwood, west London, died when they were struck on Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, on the evening of September 11.

Mr and Mrs Bernard, who were parents to three children aged between 17 and 27, were walking to their holiday home on the Sandbanks peninsula when the crash happened at 10.35pm.

A 33-year-old Poole man, who has not been named by police, was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has also been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and failing to provide a specimen of breath, Dorset Police said.

He is due to face Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on March 30.

A post-mortem examination found Mr and Mrs Bernard died at the scene from multiple injuries. A woman, from London, was also injured in the crash.

A Dorset Police spokesman said:

"This is a very serious and complex investigation involving the death of two people and a collision scene spread over a very large area.

He added:

"I can now confirm that the arrested 33-year-old Poole man has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, one count of grievous bodily harm and a further count of failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.

"He will appear at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on March 30."