Woman sentenced following fatal road traffic collision in Paignton
A driver has been sentenced for causing the death of a man in Paignton.
Doretta Winsor, 78, from Paignton, appeared at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 14 November for sentence having pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and disqualified from driving for 12 months with an extended test requirement. She must also pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
The court heard how on Friday 3 November 2023 Edward Langworthy was crossing the road from Paignton Railway Station towards the Queen Victoria pub.
The road was clear as Mr Langworthy started to cross. Winsor’s vehicle had been stationary at a pedestrian crossing nearby and she moved off as the lights changed to green.
Mr Langworthy was still crossing the road as Winsor’s vehicle approached. He was struck by the front left side of the car which quickly stopped.
Mr Langworthy was taken to hospital where he sadly died as a result of his injuries on 21 November.
The defendant told those at the scene and then officers that she didn’t see Mr Langworthy and that she didn’t know why.
A collision investigation expert demonstrated that Mr Langworthy was in the clear view of Winsor for six seconds before he was struck.
A remorseful Winsor, who had maintained a clean licence for over 50 years, voluntarily surrendered her driving licence following the incident.
Sergeant Troy Bennett from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team said: “This is an incredibly sad case which resulted in the death of a vulnerable pedestrian.
“Doretta Winsor pleaded guilty to causing the death of Edward Langworthy by her careless driving. She was of previous good character and had maintained a clean driving licence for many years prior to this incident.
“It serves as a stark reminder to us all that we have a responsibility to ensure we drive carefully, and that even a momentary lapse of concentration can have fatal consequences.”