A husband, Clint Harrison, recalls the harrowing screams he heard as his wife was fatally hit by a rogue contractor evading the police. Suzanne Cherry, 62, tragically lost her life on April 11 last year at Aston Wood Golf Club in Sutton, near Birmingham, after being struck by a van driven by John McDonald during a police pursuit that lasted over 12 minutes. McDonald, 52, admitted guilt to causing death by dangerous driving in Worcester Crown Court and received a sentence of 13 years and six months.
Suzanne’s brother, Adrian Cherry, expressed that McDonald should spend life behind bars. Dashcam footage presented in court detailed the reckless chase involving the van driven by McDonald, who along with his son and an associate, was involved in a fraud conspiracy. The pursuit resulted in multiple collisions with vehicles and tragic consequences at the golf course, where Suzanne was playing with her husband.
The impact left Suzanne with severe injuries, ultimately leading to her passing four days later. The trio fled the scene after the crash but were later apprehended. Prosecutors revealed that the men were evading arrest in connection to a roofing fraud scheme targeting vulnerable individuals. McDonald, a repeat offender with a history of criminal activities, received an additional sentence for fraud conspiracy. The judge emphasized the active involvement of McDonald’s son in the criminal activities.
Clint Harrison shared the lasting trauma he faces and his inability to return to golfing after the devastating incident. Suzanne, a mother of three and a new grandmother, missed the joy of meeting her first grandchild due to the senseless tragedy. Despite legal proceedings, Clint expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the injustice of losing his wife to criminals who prioritized their freedom over human life. He continues to seek justice through civil action against the van’s insurers, denouncing the rejection of compensation by the authorities as “outrageous.”
