A heartless hit-and-run driver mercilessly dragged a mother 190 feet down the road, leaving her fatally injured in a collision that occurred at double the speed limit.
Reece Roberts, aged 27, has been sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison by Newcastle Crown Court for the incident. The court revealed Roberts was driving despite being previously banned from doing so.
The tragic event took the life of Diane Jones, aged 59, who was crossing a street in Sunderland after a night out on Valentine’s Day. Roberts, driving a black Volvo XC90 at a significantly high speed, struck her, causing fatal injuries.
During the court proceedings, Diane’s daughter bravely delivered a heartfelt statement, describing her mother as deeply cherished and expressing a hope that Roberts would be haunted by her memory forever.
Roberts, who had a prior conviction for causing serious harm in a hit-and-run accident, confessed to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. He claimed that he was simply out to buy milk when the tragic accident occurred.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Roberts’ partner’s car being driven recklessly just before the collision, with the vehicle speeding and overtaking a taxi on a roundabout. Investigations indicated that the car was traveling at 77mph on a 30mph road seconds before hitting Ms. Jones.
Despite efforts by bystanders to assist her, Ms. Jones succumbed to severe torso injuries after being dragged along the road. Roberts callously fled the scene without stopping, only turning himself in the following day and revealing the location of the damaged car he had hidden, which was found to contain drugs.
Although it could not be confirmed if Roberts was under the influence at the time, he admitted to not consuming any substances post-accident. Judge Tim Gittins severely reprimanded Roberts for his actions, stating that Ms. Jones had no chance against his deliberate and dangerous driving behavior.
Furthermore, Roberts had previously been involved in a hit-and-run incident, causing serious injuries to another individual. Judge Gittins emphasized the devastating impact of Roberts’ actions on Ms. Jones’ family and ordered him to serve an additional five years on an extended license post-release, along with a 20-year and one-month driving ban.
Inspector Steven Clare of Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Unit expressed sympathy for Diane’s family, acknowledging the immense pain they endured due to Roberts’ reckless actions. The family’s strength and determination in seeking justice for Diane were commended amidst the tragic loss they suffered.
