Retired f lorist ran over friend as she helped her to reverse after art class
A GRANDMOTHER accidentally killed a close friend by reversing into her as the pal guided her out of a parking space, a court heard.
Former florist Carol White, 73, lost control as retired head teacher Barbara Calligan, 62, tried to help her get out of the spot after they had been to an art class together.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that her Subaru suddenly shot backwards on to a low wall, clipping Mrs Calligan, and then surged forwards, dragging the motherof-two under the car. She later died of her injuries.
Yesterday, the court heard that Abergavenny butcher Gareth Beaven saw the tragedy occur just moments after telling a customer: ‘Watch out, she’s a bad driver.’
Jason Howells, prosecuting, said: ‘Mr Beaven said he heard an engine revving before the Subaru went up the 2ft wall with two wheels on the wall. He then heard the engine rev again before the car surged forward, dragging her under the car.
‘Mr Beaven said White’s face was expressionless and emotionless.’
Mrs Calligan had been trying to help White out of the parking space after the friends had attended an art class at Abergavenny Community Enterprise in the market town.
Shocking CCTV footage of the incident showed White’s Subaru Impreza hitting Mrs Calligan before surging forwards with the victim underneath.
The court heard that White surrendered her driving licence just days after the tragedy in March.
At the time of her death, Mrs Calligan’s family described her as ‘selfless, fun-loving and bright, enjoying her life’.
In an emotional victim state ment read to the court, her son Andrew Calligan said: ‘I am struggling to come to terms with the loss of my mother.
‘My mother made me feel that nothing bad would happen but this has left me in turmoil.
‘All I have now is a pretty place in the churchyard where I can sit with her.’
Jeff Jones, defending, admitted that White’s driving was ‘strange and exceptional’.
He added: ‘An early onset of dementia is likely to have contributed to this offence. It is a lapse of a moment that has caused this crime, this tragedy.
‘She relinquished her driving licence days after the incident and she does have great remorse and upset about what has happened.’
White, of Pandy, Monmouthshire, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
She was jailed for 16 months, suspended for one year.
Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees QC said: ‘You were very good friends and attended the same art class.
‘CCTV shows the extraordinary driving that led to you hitting and killing Mrs Calligan. You were described as expressionless and emotionless at the scene.
‘With the benefit of hindsight, you might well have concluded that you should not have been driving at all.’
‘A moment’s lapse caused this tragedy’