A BEDWORTH man who caused the death of ‘much loved’ local woman Jennifer Chilton by careless driving has avoided jail.
Daniel McGonigle of Brewer Road, Bulkington has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
The 32-year-old has also been disqualified from driving for 30 months with a requirement for an extended test and 175 hours of community work.
But Mrs Chilton’s daughter said the family was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the sentence given for causing the death of her mother.
Mrs Chilton, aged 73, died after she was struck whilst crossing Winterton Road, Bulkington by a vehicle being driven by McGonigle on March 2 last year.
McGonigle left the scene, with members of the public finding Mrs Chilton lying in the carriageway with a head injury.
She was treated at the scene but later died of her injuries in hospital.
McGonigle was later arrested after going to Nuneaton Police Station to report the collision.
He was later charged and appeared at Warwick Crown Court on April 12 where he pleaded guilty to causing Mrs Chilton’s death by careless driving.
Mrs Chilton’s daughter said: “We understand that accidents happen, however, we can not forgive the driver for his cowardly act of leaving our mother alone injured in the road.”
Police Constable Craig Pearson of Warwickshire Police said: “The legislation makes it clear drivers have a greater responsibility to be more mindful of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
“This includes when turning into a junction, drivers should wait for pedestrians to finish crossing first. Sadly this did not happen.
“Mrs Chilton did nothing wrong. She was a vulnerable road user crossing the road in her home village.
“McGonigle chose to cut the corner and he was careless in his driving.
“Legally and morally he should have stayed with Mrs Chilton.”
PC Pearson added although he briefly stopped to check on her, McGonigle’s decision to leave the scene without seeking help for Mrs Chilton was ‘clearly not acceptable’.
