Family’s tribute to grandma killed by ‘idiotic’ driver
THE family of a grandmother, who was killed when an ‘idiotic’ driver was doing 118mph in a 30mph zone moments before he collided with her head-on, have paid tribute to her.
Doris ‘Dot’ Bridgehouse died at the scene of the crash on Halifax Road, Littleborough, on May 13, 2022.
On Tuesday (November 15), Trent Simm was sent to prison for causing her death by dangerous driving, and causing serious injury to two others.
One of those with serious injuries was Dot’s only child, Amanda Holmes. Her grandson, Max, was also in the car, as the trio were driving back to their home in Halifax having celebrated the end of Max’s Salford University course.
After the crash, Simm, 25, approached the wreckage of the Kia Venga they were in, and having seen Max crawl out of the car, asked who was in the car with him. Max replied: “My mum and my nan, and I think they are dead.”
At this point, Simm, of Edenfield Road in Rochdale, phoned his mum and said ‘I think I have messed up here’, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
Now, following the end of the criminal proceedings, Dot’s family have paid tribute to a ‘vibrant and kind’ individual.
During the sentencing hearing, both Amanda and Max read out victim impact statements to Simm. Amanda expressed the profound impact of losing her mother, highlighting the ongoing struggles with grief, memory loss, and the physical and emotional toll of the accident.
Amanda added: “It has changed my family and I forever, given my son Max the most dreadful, shocking and incomprehensible memories and had a catastrophic impact on both my sons’ lives.
“You have robbed me and my sons of ‘goodbye’ to mum and nan and me of being the mum that I want to be to my sons right now. This is very difficult, and you are going to have to live with your actions for the rest of your life. “As much as you have destroyed the dynamics of our family, I think that you have also destroyed a part of your own and your family’s. “I do not feel sorry for you at all; driving at those speeds you are liable to kill someone, and you did.
“So, actions have consequences and here we are. Rest In Peace, Mum.”
Sergeant Louise Warhurst, from Greater Manchester Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said that Simm used the public road as his ‘personal racetrack’.
A statement on her behalf added: “What had started out as a special celebratory occasion for Doris and her family ended in tragedy when through no fault of her own, she encountered Trent Simm driving his Audi S3 at manifestly dangerous speeds.
“Trent Simm was treating the public highway as his personal racetrack, reaching astonishing speeds of 118mph in a 30mph residential area. He had no regard whatsoever for the safety of all other members of the public using the roads in Rochdale that evening.
“I would like to thank all the members of the public that tried to assist Doris and her family at the scene of this collision and everyone that came forward to assist the police with their investigation.
“I would like to thank the family, friends and loved ones of Doris, who have conducted themselves with dignity throughout this investigation.
“I would also like to remind those who think they can ignore the speed limit to think twice before using their car at high speeds. Your actions can devastate innocent members of the public in a split second and no one deserves to lose a loved one this way.
“Dangerous drivers will not be tolerated in our communities. Greater Manchester Police will deal with them robustly to keep people safe from illegal and irresponsible drivers.”
Passing down his sentence, Judge Usher told the defendant: “This is a desperately sad case for both families affected by your actions.
“You were travelling in a performance car at 118mph on a 30mph road. It seems to me with a new car it’s highly likely you were showing off or thrill-seeking in the company of your friend.
“It’s impossible to listen to victim impact statements without appreciating the appalling, and long-lasting, pain and suffering you inflicted on the family.”
Simm was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, half of which must be served behind bars, for causing the death of Doris Bridgehouse by dangerous driving. He was given two years for each offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Amanda Holmes and Aaron Scott, which will be served concurrently.
‘I do not feel sorry for you at all; driving at those speeds you are liable to kill someone, and you did’ Dot’s daughter Amanda Holmes, to Trent Simm