Jail for crash driver who killed woman

A WOMAN has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving, following a Police investigation.

On Monday, Pertpall Sall (68) of Headley Road, Woodley, was sentenced to a total of 28 months in jail, of which half will be spent on licence.

She was also disqualified from driving for six years, with the ban starting when she is released from prison.

At a previous hearing on February 22, also at Reading Crown Court, Sall had pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The charges relate to an incident on 8 December, 2016, in Oxford Road, Reading, when Sall was driving a Ford Focus.

Instead of braking as traffic in front of her slowed down, she pressed the accelerator, and swerved, colliding with three pedestrians who were walking on the pavement.

The car then smashed through a garden brick wall.

Sonata Saulytyte, 44, a Lithuanian woman, who was buried under the car and rubble from the wall, died at the scene, while two Reading men were injured.

Liam Brinkley, then aged 20, suffered multiple leg fractures as a result of the collision.

Maciej Zelek, then aged 24, sustained cuts and bruises and narrowly avoided being crushed by the rear wheels of a bus.

Sall was charged by postal notification on 20 July, 2017.

Investigating officer PC Wayne Reece, of the Roads Policing Unit at Three Mile Cross, said: “As the judge in the court case said, when we get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle – which can weigh over a tonne – we have a great responsibility to others.

“And when we fail in that responsibility we have to face the consequences.

“In taking action by trying to steer to avoid a collision with a lorry in front of her, Sall has compounded the braking error with tragic consequences.

“Not only did it result in the death of Mrs Saulytyte, but also left Mr Brinkley with serious injuries that left him requiring ongoing hospital treatment and unable to work for several months.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Mrs Saulytyte and everyone affected by this incident.”