First-day-at-work bus driver caused pensioner’s death
ANEWLY QUALIFIED bus driver caused the death of a pensioner in a “tragic” collision on his first day at work.
Jay Stolzenberg admitted causing the death of 76-year-old grandmother of three Glenys Thomas by driving carelessly near a supermarket at a busy retail centre in Bridgend.
Sentencing at Newport Crown Court, Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins said: “This is undoubtedly a tragic case.”
The court heard the incident occurred around 3pm on May 16 last year on the Sainsbury’s access road at McArthur Glen.
James Wilson, prosecuting, said Mrs Thomas was being picked up from a coach trip when the bus driven by the defendant struck her friend’s car.
The victim had one foot in the car when the bus knocked the vehicle, which had pulled up in a bus stop.
Prosecutors said the car “jolted” forward, knocking Mrs Thomas to the ground and trapping her legs under the rear wheel.
A witness said it looked as though the driver, who worked for First Bus, had misjudged the gap when he tried to pass the car.
The court heard he had a “buddy” supervising him, who advised him to pass the car if there was enough space.
Mr Wilson said: “[Mrs Thomas] fell and banged her head on the pavement. Her legs became trapped under the car.”
The incident was caught on CCTV installed in the bus, which was travelling at 5mph.
A witness said the driver looked “shocked and distraught”.
Paramedics confirmed the casualty was conscious, and complaining of pain in her legs and shoulder. An air ambulance was called and she was rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital, in Bridgend.
Mrs Thomas suffered crush injuries to her legs and a fractured shoulder.
The court heard she suffered “significant” complications, including pneumonia and kidney failure, and died three months later, on August 14, 2016.
A pathologist concluded her death was caused by complications of blunt trauma and hospitalisation.
A collision investigator concluded the defendant misjudged the space needed to pass the car.
Stolzenberg, 25, from Hartshorn Terrace in Caerau, Maesteg, initially denied causing death by careless driving, but changed his plea.
Richard Ace, defending, stressed his client had held an “unblemished” driving record.
The judge said: “You must pay the price for your actions.”
Stolzenberg was given a 27-week jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was disqualified from driving for two years and will have to pass an extended re-test before getting behind the wheel again.