Driver on phone killed elderly couple in crash

Elaine and Clive Jones were "extraordinary people", their family said

A driver has been jailed for nine years after admitting killing an elderly couple in a crash in Rutland.

Patricia Pringle, 56, drifted her Volkswagen Golf on to the wrong side of the road on the A47 at Barrowden on 9 May 2022 and hit Clive and Elaine Jones's Fiat Qubo.

Mr and Mrs Jones, aged 89 and 82 respectively, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Their family described the pair as “extraordinary people” and said they “never had a chance to say goodbye”.

While Pringle was in hospital to be treated for a broken arm after the crash, police officers found an eyewitness had seen her using her mobile while driving.

It was later identified that Pringle, of Park Vale Road, Spinney Hill, had been on a call when the crash took place.

Pringle was on a phone call when she went on to the wrong side of the road

Det Con Emma Mitchell, who was the officer in the case, said throughout the investigation “Pringle appeared to show very little remorse for her actions”.

On 13 May this year, Pringle pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of possession of cannabis.

She was jailed on Friday, and also banned from driving for five years from her release from prison, after which she would have to take an extended retest.

In a tribute to the married couple, their family said "they had many friends from all walks of life".

The couple will be missed by friends and family

They added: “The shock, horror, and disbelief of their deaths remains with so many people – their family, friends and their community.

“The police have worked for over two years for justice to be served on the totally avoidable killing of our parents.

“As a family, we will never not know how they died, the extent of their injuries, and the trauma of being informed of their deaths and the days, months and years that followed."

The couple's remaining years, the family said, "were stolen from them and from us".

"We miss them each day and in so many ways," they added. “That they died together is a blessing as they did everything together in life.”

Det Con Mitchell said: ““There’s a reason why using a mobile phone while driving can result in points on your licence. I would like to think this case serves as a stark warning to road users who think it’s acceptable to do so that their actions can have fatal consequences.”

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