Singing child distracted driver before fatal crash

A SINGING grandchild distracted a magistrate’s widow moments before she drove down and killed a pensioner at a pedestrian crossing, a court heard.

Julie Parkin, 58 was driving with her two grandchildren, aged 10 and six, to a Mcdonald’s in Ashton-under-lyne, Greater Manchester, when she crashed into Patricia Dermody, 75, who was crossing the road.

Mrs Dermody suffered traumatic injuries and died in hospital 10 days later after contracting pneumonia, Tameside magistrates’ court was told.

Parkin, whose late husband sat as a magistrate in Oldham, said she was distracted by her grandchild singing along to music next to her in the passenger seat of the black Mercedes CLK.

Parkin admitted to causing death by careless driving but was spared jail with a six-month sentence suspended for two years.

Mrs Dermody’s husband Terence said the family held no malice for Parkin, knowing that she would also have to live with what she had done.

Inside the court, Parkin, a local church volunteer, turned to the victim’s family sitting in the public gallery and said: “I am so sorry”, to which Mr Dermody replied, “I forgive you.”

The accident occurred on Dec 18 2021 while Mrs Dermody was on a Christmas shopping errand with her husband.

Andrew Hey, prosecuting, said Parkin had been travelling with one child in the front passenger seat and another in the rear.

“She came to a stop at a red traffic light and while the defendant was stationary Mrs Dermody began to cross the carriageway.

“But some six seconds after starting to cross and before Mrs Dermody completed the journey the defendant set off from the traffic lights and accelerated away from the traffic lights.

“Then four seconds after setting off, she then collided with Mrs Dermody who was still on the carriageway. Mrs Dermody had been in the carriageway for a total of 10 seconds when the collision occurred.”

He said “it is accepted the defendant had been briefly distracted by her grandchild who was restrained in the front of the vehicle”.

Parkin was banned from driving for two years and ordered to undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity with the probation service and pay £239 in costs and surcharge.

Magistrate Michael Crossl e y addressed Mr Dermody and said: “We would like to thank the family for your dignified and brave stance. The victim personal statement was very moving.”