‘Cowardly’ driver hit pensioner as she crossed the road and left her …
The family of a woman who was killed as she crossed a road in her home village has hit out at the sentence given to the 'cowardly' driver who caused her death. Jennifer Anne Chilton, 73, was crossing Winterton Road in Bulkington on March 2 last year when she was struck by a car driven by Daniel John McGonigle.
McGonigle, 32 and of Brewer Road, Bulkington, had 'cut the corner' when turning, police said. He briefly stopped to check on Mrs Chilton but then left the scene. He later handed himself in to police.
McGonigle has today been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving for 30 months. He must also carry out 175 hours of community work and take an extended test after his ban.
Speaking after the sentencing, Mrs Chilton's daughter said she and the family are 'extremely disappointed'. She added: "We understand that accidents happen. However, we can not forgive the driver for his cowardly act of leaving our mother alone injured in the road."
Mrs Chilton was treated at the scene but later died in hospital.
McGonigle attended Nuneaton[2] Police Station to report the collision and was arrested. He was later charged and appeared at Warwick[3] Crown Court on April 12, where he pleaded guilty to causing Mrs Chilton's death due to careless driving.
Craig Pearson, Police Constable of Warwickshire Police[4] said: "The legislation makes it clear that drivers have a greater responsibility to be more mindful of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. This includes when turning into a junction, drivers should wait for pedestrians to finish crossing first. Sadly this did not happen. Mrs Chilton did nothing wrong. She was a vulnerable road user crossing the road in her home village. Mr McGonigle chose to cut the corner and he was careless in his driving."
"Although he briefly stopped to check on Mrs Chilton, he chose to leave the scene without seeking help for her, leaving Mrs Chilton alone in the road with a serious head injury. Legally and morally he should have stayed with Mrs Chilton. This is clearly not acceptable."
We are very grateful to all the members of public, including children, who stopped and helped at the scene.”
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References
- ^ Girl, 12, suffers head and back injuries after being 'assaulted' in Bedworth (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Nuneaton (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Warwick (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Warwickshire Police (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ here (data.reachplc.com)