Walsall woman admits causing death by careless driving

Iris Hall was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital with severe chest injuries following the smash on August 18 last year. The 83-year-old retired cleaner died at the hospital four days later.

Deborah Monk, of Main Street, Stonnall, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday.

The 59-year-old had been driving a BMW X3 in Chester Road when the accident happened.

Prosecutors say she drove the car without due care and attention.

Monk, who spoke only to confirm her name and plead guilty to the charge during the brief hearing, was represented in court by Mr Timothy Pole who requested an adjournment for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Mr Alex Warren, prosecuting, said Monk has submitted a basis of plea that she had not looked at the road carefully.

Judge Michael Dudley adjourned the case for a sentencing at the city court on March 24. Monk was given unconditional bail until the hearing.

Inquest

An inquest was opened on Mrs Hall at Smethwick Coroner's Court in August last year. The inquest was told that Mrs Hall was a passenger in a car being driven by her husband, Louis when it hit another car at the junction of Lazy Hill Road and Chester Road.

Louis, a retired tool setter, was also taken to hospital, but recovered from his injuries and was discharged. The couple lived in Hook Drive in Sutton Coldfield.

The crash happened just four months after a schoolboy died from head injuries when he was hit by a lorry in the same road.

Jack Garrington, of Rushall, died just five days before his 12th birthday, after being struck by the truck while he was crossing Chester Road near to the Anchor Pub.

The 11-year-old was walking back from Shire Oak Academy in Brownhills, to his home in Kings Road, Rushall, when the tragedy happened.

His inquest, which was held at Smethwick Council House last July, was told that police had been called to the scene of the accident just before 3.30pm on April 10 last year.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene.

The youngster's death sparked a campaign by local residents calling for traffic-calming measures to be put in place.

More than 1,500 residents signed a petition calling for action.

It prompted a discussion at a meeting of the full council in Walsall where funding options were explored.