Monday, May 12, 2008
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PRISON FOR DEATH-CRASH DRIVER

By County Press Reporter - Friday, May 9, 2008
A TOTLAND woman has been jailed for a driving error which killed a teenage motorcyclist.
Rachael Simmonds, 23, of Hurst View Point, Totland Bay, was driving along the Newport to Freshwater middle road on July 8 last year when she pulled out to overtake a car and collided head on with an oncoming motorbike, being ridden by 17-year-old Tom Rees, of Newport.
His family was in court today (Friday) when Simmonds was jailed for eight months and banned from driving for two years.
The court was told Simmonds, who was taking home a friend at around 10.15pm, attempted to overtake a Volkswagen as they approached the brow of an incline on a slight bend.
PC Victor Plasins, accident investigator, said in a statement it was unlikely Mr Rees had been aware of Simmonds until she came into view and it was highly unlikely either party would have been able to react in time.
In her statement, Simmonds said: “I obviously realise the accident was entirely my fault and for this I am sincerely sorry.”
She said she had been too close to the car in front to see when she pulled out. She believed they were travelling at around 30mph when overtook.
Michael Selfe, for Simmonds, who gave a negative breath test, said: “Her apologies, for what they are worth, are heartfelt and she, and indeed her family, are desperately upset for the hurt and permanent pain she has inflicted on Mr Rees’s family.
“She was in the wrong and irrespective of the sentence she will have to deal with guilt and the consequences of that night forever.”