Driver Jailed for Fatal Collision with 91-Year-Old While Impaired and Using Phone

Mark Roberts, 57, of Holden Way, Great Gonerby, has been sentenced to over eight years in prison following a collision in which he struck a 91-year-old woman as she was crossing the road. At the time of the incident, Roberts was found to be twice the legal drink-drive limit and was operating his mobile phone. Gwendoline Christian, the victim, passed away six days after being hit by Roberts on 27 November 2023, while she was crossing Sankt Augustin Way in Grantham. Roberts had previously entered a guilty plea to causing death by dangerous driving at Lincoln Crown Court. Speaking after the sentencing on 25 October, Detective Sergeant Adam Doona, from Lincolnshire Police’s serious collision investigation unit, stated that “there could be no excuses for committing serious driving offences.” In addition to his prison term of eight years and three months, Roberts also received a driving prohibition for nine years and 45 days. An investigation conducted by Lincolnshire Police determined that Roberts had not observed any pedestrians as he approached the junction of Sankt Augustin Way and Dysart Road at approximately 16:45 GMT. A reconstruction carried out by investigators concluded that there was sufficient illumination from streetlights and surrounding premises to make Ms Christian visible. Detective Sergeant Doona remarked that Ms Christian’s “sad death” could “very easily have been avoided.” He further stated, “Roberts must have known it is dangerous to drive, hold a phone and be in conversation with someone when in charge of and driving a car.” Concluding his remarks, he asserted: “This case is a stark reminder not only of the penalties for those who break the law in such a way but the devastating and very final impact their actions can have.”