Mum-of-four set to be jailed for causing crash that killed ‘amazing’ dad
A South Derbyshire mum has been told she faces a prison sentence for causing a crash that led to the death of an 'amazing' father. Dominic Fryer's family members packed the Derby Crown Court public gallery as Rachel Boardman admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Known as Dom, Mr Fryer was a passenger in the back seat of the Peugeot 206 Boardman was driving. In September last year, the pair were only two minutes away from his home when the smash happened.
The driver, 43-year-old Boardman, left Lullington Road, in Overseal[1], and struck the tree. A passenger in the front seat, Michael Osborne, was also sent to hospital after the collision - and the defendant, of Fernlea Drive, Linton[2], also pleaded guilty to causing his serious injuries through dangerous driving.
Adjourning her sentencing hearing to November 22, Judge Shaun Smith KC said: “You have pleaded guilty to these offences and you will receive the maximum credit available to you. I am adjourning to get a (pre-sentence) report to find out more about you, but don’t think I’m getting a report to find out whether there’s an alternative to custody.
“It’s a case of how long (you will be sent to prison for). You have four young children so it is only fair that as you are going to be going into custody you know what is happening with your children.”
The crash happened at 5.30am on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Police were called to the scene and the road was shut for a number of hours while collision investigators carried out their work..
Following Mr Fryer’s death, his family paid an emotional tribute to him. Speaking shortly after the tragedy, his daughter Jess said: "I am absolutely broken. It has been so overwhelming. My mum Kristy adored him. He had gone out and was coming back when it happened. He was just two minutes away from home. He had two grandchildren with one on the way. We had these plans for the Saturday, and he was going to look at my car.”
Dominic Fryer, known as Dom (Image: Fryer family)
Jess said: "He was amazing. Nothing was too much trouble. With any problem, most girls go to their mum but with me it was always my dad. When I first found out I was pregnant the first person I told was my dad. My boys loved him. He would take them to the cinema and would spoil them rotten. If he shook your hand you were family."
The 51-year-old grew up in Newhall and attended Sibford Boarding School for Boys, in Oxfordshire, and later William Allitt School in Sunnyside, Newhall.
After leaving school, he took part in the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) undertaking bricklaying, painting and decorating and even baking. He later worked in a bakery for a short time.
In a complete career change, Mr Fryer became a carer for special needs children, and later a carer for elderly dementia patients. After another career change, he spent 10 years as an HGV driver.
Jess said her father had a real passion for cars. He owned a unit in Netherseal purely for fixing up vehicles. She said: "If you had a problem with your car, you could just roll up and he would fix it." Mr Fryer later moved to Overseal and then settled in Netherseal.
Following his death, floral tributes were left at the scene of the crash and his funeral at Bretby Crematorium was completely packed, leaving people having to stand outside.
His daughter said: "It was absolutely heaving. They said at the funeral they had never done one that big before."
Boardman, who this week's hearing was told has children aged four to 16, was handed bail by Judge Smith until her sentencing date. He handed her an interim driving ban.
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References
- ^ in Overseal (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Fernlea Drive, Linton (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Police called to reports 5 men were sexually assaulted at South Derbyshire pub (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Police swoop after reports of woman on axe rampage in Burton town centre (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for free email alerts to StaffordshireLive straight to your inbox here (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ visit InYourArea (www.inyourarea.co.uk)