Three Relatives Hurt In Collision On Country Road

A family have spoken out after a driver was sentenced in connection with a crash that left them seriously injured.

Husband and wife Lucy and John Mays as well as Lucy’s dad, James Young, suffered a catalogue of injuries when a car hit their vehicle after failing to stop at a junction on a country road in County Durham.

Lucy’s mum and James’ wife, Rita Young, 62, was also seriously  injured in the collision which happened at the junction of Green Lane, with Bitchburn Road in North Bitchburn. Rita died seven weeks later in hospital.

Following the crash the family instructed expert road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the collision and help them access the specialist rehabilitation they require to overcome their injuries, including spinal and hip fractures.

The family have now spoken for the first time of their loss and the consequences of motorists not paying attention.

It comes after the driver of the other vehicle was pleaded guilty to a single charge of careless driving in connection with the incident at Durham Crown Court.

The driver received six penalty points on her licence and a £60 fine.

Adele Jepson, specialist road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family said after the hearing: “Rita was a much-loved wife, mum and grandmother whose death in the weeks following the accident has had a profound impact on all her family.

“As well as trying to come to terms with Rita’s death, Lucy, John and James have also had to contend with trying to overcome their injuries, which more than two years on from the crash, are still affecting their lives. 

“During our work we regularly see the impact road traffic collisions can have on people’s daily lives. Lucy and John had to not only deal with their own injuries but support Lucy’s Dad as a result of his injuries and his wife’s death.

“We urge motorists to pay attention at all times to help reduce the number of casualties on the road and accidents such as the one Mays and Young family were involved in.

“We will continue to support the family at this distressing time.”

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James, 65 and Rita, of Crook, had three children and eight grandchildren. There are now also two great-grandchildren whom Rita never got to see.

The couple as well as Lucy and James, also of Crook, were travelling in a blue Volkswagen Touran being driven by James when a red Ford Fiesta travelling from Green Lane continued out of the junction and hit the side of their vehicle, pushing into a wall. The collision happened on 5 July, 2017.

Rita was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where she spent a period of time in intensive care before being transferred to the High Dependency Unit at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Rita unfortunately suffered a stroke and sadly passed away on 26 August, 2017.

James suffered fractures to his spine, hip, pelvis, chest bone and arm as well as a head injury. He requires a walking frame to walk and is still receiving treatment for his injuries.

John, 55, suffered a fractured spine and hip. He was confined to a wheelchair for two months.

Lucy, 38, suffered a broken arm which required surgery on two occasions. She is now a carer for her dad.

Lucy said after the hearing: “There are no adequate words to describe the pain, anger and despair that we have felt from Mum’s death.

“My Mum was a loving mum and grandma with a heart as a big as the world. The day that she died will be etched in our minds forever.

“With her death came a lot of sorrow. I have had to watch my four children cry and grieve for their grandmother taken too soon.

“I have had to watch my Dad cry and suffer because he has lost the love of his life; his wife of over 40 years. The lady he adored and put high on a pedestal, who he shared the most loving and amazing life with. Watching my Dad grieve is so hard to see knowing there is nothing I can do to make things easier for him.

“Nothing can ever make up for the feeling of loss that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. All we can hope for is that by speaking out motorists realise the pain they can cause by pose by not obeying the Highway Code.”

The driver of the Fiesta, Chloe Cruddace, 20, of Pity Me, Durham, previously denied three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving in connection to the collision which was accepted by the Crown.