Driver who knocked down and killed pensioner jailed

A driver who knocked down and killed an 84-year-old pedestrian as she crossed the road has been jailed for four years.

Graeme Flynn, 29, claimed he was distracted by a radio traffic report just seconds before the fatal crash.

He took his eye off the road and his Mercedes hit grandmother Grace Stiven as she crossed Jamaica Street in Glasgow on May 8, 2018. Mrs Stiven died in hospital the next day.

Flynn, of Fallin, Stirling, was convicted of death by dangerous driving after a jury trial.

On Tuesday he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow via a videolink and sobbed as he was jailed and banned from driving for ten years.

Judge Tom Hughes told Flynn: “You actions that day caused the death of Mrs Striven and caused loss, anguish and heartbreak to her family.

“This happened because of loss of concentration. You took your eye off the road.”

Defence QC Jim Keegan said: “He was distracted by a traffic report coming on the radio and took his eye off the road for about seven seconds with tragic consequences. He is suffering great remorse.”

The court heard that the accident happened when Flynn was driving at under ten miles an hour. He failed to see Mrs Striven as she crossed the road.

The court heard that Flynn had pulled away from traffic lights and turned right into Jamaica Street as Mrs Striven crossed.

After the impact he immediately stopped and went to help her.

In evidence Flynn admitted his attention was diverted by an announcement on the car radio and trying to turn it off.

He told prosecutor Michael Meehan QC: “When you move off the expectation is you look both ways but I would be lying If I said I was looking ahead, as I don’t know.

“The traffic announcement startled me and I pushed the wrong button on the car paddle gears.

“I can’t stand here and say my driving was dangerous but I can say it was careless.”

Collision investigator PC Ian Gary said Flynn was driving at 9.25mph at the point of impact.

He added: “The front near side of the car struck her causing her to go off her feet and land on the carriageway.

“She sustained a head injury and died from her injuries the next day.”