Dashcam footage shows the moment an elderly woman caused a dramatic crash in Wiltshire, before fleeing the scene – swerving around witnesses who told her to stop.
Celia Painter, 78, pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without due care and attention at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 31 January this year.
Driver Jade, 21, and her boyfriend James, 24, both suffered injuries in the collision in Westbury Road, Warminster, back in July 2021.
The defendant, of Ashley Place, Warminster, pulled out in front of the pair as they travelled in a silver Renault Clio, causing it to flip multiple times before coming to rest on its side.
Painter, who was driving a blue Honda Jazz, stopped momentarily before making off – swerving around shocked witnesses who told her to stop and wait for the police.
Dashcam footage shows the moment an elderly woman caused a dramatic crash in Wiltshire, before fleeing the scene – swerving around witnesses who told her to stop.
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In a statement addressed to the defendant, Jade said: “Are you sorry? The courts have taken your license off you for six months, do you feel comfortable driving? Because I still don’t.
“You’ve caused so much damage to both me and James, not just physical but mental as well.
“I have constant nightmares, reoccurring dreams of your face, of the moments me and James were rolling and all I thought was ‘this is the end, I don’t get to live out my life.’
“Every bang, every car horn, every road closure, every emergency vehicle that passes me, it all takes me back to the moment that has destroyed so much. ”
She went on to thank the members of the public and emergency services who came to her aid.
“Thank you once again. You will never be forgotten for your acts of kindness.”
As a result of the crash, James ruptured two tendons in his left hand. Three operations have failed to fix the damage, and he is unlikely to regain full control of his hand. He has also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Likewise, Jade has been PTSD. Though she managed to avoid any serious physical injury. She gave up her community carer role to avoid driving more than is absolutely necessary and now works in a care home.
Magistrates fined Painter £738 and disqualified her from driving for six months.
She must also pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £73. No compensation was awarded.
