Family Speaks Out After HGV Driver Jailed for “Avoidable” Death of Mother

Expressions of sorrow have been shared for a “beloved mother” whose life was ended by a lorry driver who proceeded through a red traffic signal. Patricia Grace, a pedestrian, died in October 2022 after an HGV struck her while she was utilizing a pedestrian crossing on Oxford Road in Kidlington. Dariusz Meczynski, 51, the lorry’s driver, received a sentence of three years and nine months in prison in December. Oliver, Ms Grace’s son, has now issued a statement concerning his mother, characterizing her death as “completely avoidable and needless.” Meczynski, who has no fixed address, admitted guilt to one charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Oxford Crown Court was informed that he neglected to stop at the traffic lights, resulting in 74-year-old Ms Grace, a pedestrian, sustaining fatal injuries and perishing at the scene. In a statement released via Thames Valley Police, Mr Grace recounted that his mother had departed from home that morning to volunteer by cleaning at her local Catholic church. He elaborated that this was “an act of kindness she had done every Thursday morning for as long as anyone can remember.” Mr Grace further stated: “We don’t know why Meczynski did not see her but it is clear that he must have been woefully distracted for a prolonged period as he approached the pedestrian crossing that was on red for traffic.” He continued, describing the immediate aftermath: “In the immediate aftermath of the incident, while my mother lay on the cold road dying, Meczynski did not get out of his cab. He did not try to help or even call for an ambulance. Instead, he phoned his boss. “This is a huge aggravating factor for the family and is just the first instance of his deliberate attempts to try and minimize his involvement to avoid justice.”” Mr Grace conveyed that when police arrived to inform his father of his mother’s passing, his father’s life was “devastatingly changed forever.” He added: “”It is no small exaggeration to say that mum did everything for dad and they were very devoted to each other still living in the same house my brother and I grew up in.”” The trainee paramedic concluded: “”We don’t for a second believe that Meczynski woke up that morning with the intention of hurting anyone.””