Speeding Police Car Killed Mother
06/03/2007
Mother Knocked Down by a Speeding Police Car
We found you very professional as well as approachable, helpful and caring. We can now move on and look forward to a more stable and secure future. I am sure that this would not have happened without yourselves being involved.
Jayne, Evesham
A mother was
given just weeks to live after a speeding police car knocked her over
after responding to a call about a teenager stealing a can of lemonade.
Linda
Donaldson, 55, and her family are expected to receive almost £4 million
damages after she suffered multiple fractures, a blood clot on the
brain and internal bleeding. She spent four years in hospital and was
allowed home to be cared for by a team of specialist nurses.
The
family have claimed for £3.75 million compensation from Northumbria
Police, who have admitted liability and have made interim payments
worth hundreds of thousands to pay for private treatment.
Her
husband, John, 56, from Heaton said although police have already paid
for private treatment, it will take millions to pay for a team of nine
nurses to give her 24 hour care.
The accident occurred when PC
Philip Wilkinson was driving at a speed of 40mph in a 30mph zone, with
his light flashing but with his siren off. He had overtaken traffic
waiting at a pedestrian crossing and had a limited view of the crossing
in the Walker area of Newcastle.
PC Wilkinson did not slow down
and was on the wrong side of the road when he hit Mrs Donaldson, a part
time cleaner, as she walked out in front of him.
The officer, now
32, admitted dangerous driving and received a six month suspended
prison sentence in 2003. He lost his job and was given a four year
driving ban.
Mr Donaldson, a former lorry driver, gave up his job
to care for his wife of 37 years. He is now campaigning for tighter
restrictions on police pursuits.
Mrs Donaldson was discharged
from hospital last summer and her daughter Kristy, 17, is one of her
full time carers. She says she is proud of how well her parents have
coped.
Superintendent Michael Hassen, of Northumbria Police said
that police officers go to work looking to protect people but in that
instance they failed and the consequences have been dreadful for the
Donaldsons.
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