118mph in a 30mph zone – ‘irresponsible and inexcusable’
VIDEO of the moment ‘idiotic’ Audi driver Trent Simm speeds along residential roads ahead of a devastating crash that killed much-loved gran Doris ‘Dot’ Bridgehouse – a retired nurse who dedicated her life to helping others – has been revealed.
CCTV footage of Simm behind the wheel has been released by Greater Manchester Police as the family of Doris, 82, spoke out to slam his ‘irresponsible and inexcusable’ driving.
A court heard Simm, 25, was driving at 118mph in a 30mph zone just moments before the head-on smash in Littleborough, Rochdale, which also badly injured Doris’ daughter, Amanda, 56, and her grandson, Amanda’s son Max, 22.
Simm, 25, of Edenfield Road, Rochdale, lost control of his
Audi S3 on the A58 Halifax Road and smashed into a Kia being driven by Doris.
The court was told such was the force of the horrifying crash, which police believed happened at a speed in excess of 88mph, the wreckage of the Kia was pushed back 25 metres.
After the crash Simm phoned his mother and said: “I think I have messed up here.”
Shortly before the smash, other drivers observed Simm, who was taking a friend home, ‘flying past at 70 or 80mph’ on the 30mph road, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told. Prosecutor Justin Hayhoe said data suggested he was travelling even faster before the crash. The speed five seconds before the collision was
at 118mph in a 30mph,” he told the court.
“The defendant was in the opposing carriageway and lost control of the vehicle and came into collision with Dot Bridgehouse’s car. The force was such it pushed the Kia back 25 metres. The Audi rotated and crashed into a brick wall.”
The footage released – which can be seen on our website – shows Simm speeding past homes. Doris’ Kia can be seen driving along the road before the Audi’s headlights appear as Simm speeds around the bend.
Simm, pictured, was jailed earlier this month for seven years and four months for causing Doris’ death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury to Amanda and Max.
Jailing him, Judge Neil Usher said: “You knew the danger of driving at those speeds. Now two families’ lives have been devastated. From everything I have read about you I am satisfied you now understand all these consequences are your responsibility.”