‘Larger than life’ gran dies after car reverses into her at garage as driver avoids jail over devastating crash
The driver failed to spot Sandra as she was crossing the forecourt with her grandson's friend
A “LARGER than life” gran died after a car reversed into her at a garage – with the driver avoiding jail over the devastating crash.
Sandra Diplock, 64, was knocked down by a Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Roger Jones, 60, at the garage in Caerphilly, south Wales.
Jones, 60, failed to spot Sandra as she was crossing the forecourt with her grandson’s friend on April 19 last year.
He reversed at speed and knocked into both Sandra and her young companion – despite people shouting at him to stop.
The sound of Sandra’s head hitting the concrete could be heard by her grandson’s friend.
Sandra suffered a traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture, a subdural haematoma and a brain contusion in the horror.
She was taken to hospital in Cardiff where her condition worsened and she started suffering uncontrollable seizures.
The gran was switched to palliative care and she died on August 31 last year.
Her cause of death was given as aspiration pneumonia, post traumatic epilepsy and a traumatic brain injury following a collision.
Jones admitted being responsible for the collision but claimed he had checked his mirrors.
He later pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and the court heard he was of previous good character.
Yesterday he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months.
Jones was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work, to pay £150 in costs and disqualified from driving for 15 months.
‘HORRIFIC SUFFERING’
Sandra’s daughter Natalie Roberts said: “The actions of Roger Jones changed my life forever.
“For 44 years no only was she my mother but my father, best friend, and support system.
“My mental health deteriorated, every day I struggled with anxiety and I also suffered from panic attacks.
“It has become so severe I avoid other family members for fear of losing them.
“I am struggling with situations that arise, I can’t deal with anything anymore.
“I can’t sleep at night due to thinking about the last four months of my mother’s life, she suffered horrifically.
“Seeing mam every day was hard to experience and those images stay in my head.
“She didn’t know who we were and who she was. All I remember her saying was “help me”, which keeps playing in my head.
“I want to remember my mam’s life as full of joy but you have taken that away by your actions.
“If mum had died from an illness it would have been easier to accept but the way we lost mam was torture.
“I feel she had many more years to enjoy family and her grandchildren who she enjoyed. Mam was one in a million.”
TRAGIC SANDRA
Sandra’s daughter Angharad Murray said: “Roger Jones’ actions on my life – I can only say he’s completely destroyed it.
“Life will never be the same. You’ve taken not only my mother but my best friend and I miss her every day.
“I’m haunted by the memory of mam’s last four months where she endured a great deal of suffering.
“The day of the accident was the moment I lost my mother as she was severely disabled as a result of the collision and no longer recognised anyone.
“Her skull being partially removed is an image that haunts me, I feel like I lost my mother twice.”
Angharad added: “The flashbacks make it hard to sleep and I struggle with anxiety.
“If only you’d been more alert and attentive to your surroundings, my mum would still be alive.
“I was 34 weeks pregnant when this happened and my mam was unable to attend her grandchild’s birth.
“It prevented me from enjoying my maternity leave, what was meant to be a joyous experience was marred by your actions.
“Your mistake that day created a significant void in our lives. You must face the consequences of your actions.”
‘SHAME AND HORROR’
In mitigation, David Elias KC said his client was “overwhelmed by shame and horror” by his actions and Sandra’s death.
He said Jones had mulled taking his own life and had been unable to go back to work.
Jones had a “exemplary driving record” before Sandra’s death, Elias said.
Sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis said: “Ms Diplock was a much loved twin sister, mother and grandmother.
“She was someone who anchored and supported not only her own family but the wider community.
“It’s clear the harm and devastation caused by her loss will have a wider impact for a long time to come.”
After her death, Sandra’s family said: “Sandra was our perfect mam, wife, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother and great grandmother.
“Her passing in such tragic circumstances will leave a void in our lives that will never be filled.”
The family added: “Our mam was larger than life, was well known and had many friends.
“We can’t imagine life without her, she was our queen and she will missed dearly but never forgotten.
“As a family we would like to thank everyone for their messages of support, kind wishes and beautiful flowers.
“We have all been overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness at this difficult time.
“We would like to thank the staff at the University Hospital of Wales, especially those on ward T4 where mam spent most of her time.
“They provided her with the best care and helped us so much as a family.”