Pensioner pledges never to drive again after sister killed in crash

Muriel Jones, 77, had just picked up her younger sister Glenys Parkes to go out for coffee and a catch-up on June 13 last year when tragedy struck.

Telford Magistrates Court heard that the pair were travelling along the B4176 in Wombourne when Jones attempted to turn right into Tom Lane, failing to see an oncoming Vauxhall van.

The van struck Jones’ Honda Jazz. Emergency services arrived at the scene, but Mrs Parkes died later that day in hospital having suffered blunt force trauma to the chest.

Jones spent more than two weeks in hospital, and was told of her sister’s fate in her bed while recovering. The last she remembered before waking up after the incident was pulling out of her sister’s driveway on the day of the crash.

Outlining the facts of the case, district judge Kevin Grego said: "Her sister was a front-seat passenger. Everybody was properly seat-belted, but as a consequence of what happened, she (Mrs Parkes) was taken ill at the scene.

"She was removed from the vehicle and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Unfortunately she died later that afternoon."

Surrendered

Jones, from Hewell Close, Kingswinford, pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention. She pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had a full, clean driving licence, which she surrendered.

Vaughn Winstance, defending, told the court: "She has an intention never to drive again. There is a suggestion that the van was exceeding the speed limit for that type of vehicle, but not significantly. My client suffered several injuries and spent 16 days in hospital."

Judge Grego added: "It was going to be a simple day where you were going to catch up with one another.

"A letter from you states that the shock and grief today is as profound as it was when you first learned what had occurred. Drivers on every road on every day fall prey to momentary lapses in attention. In the vast majority of those cases, there are no consequences. Unfortunately in this case, there were real and profound consequences."

He added: "Given the loss you have suffered, I will pass a nominal sentence."

Jones was banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month conditional discharge. She must also pay £205 in costs.