A 93-year-old driver has escaped imprisonment after striking a six-year-old boy while running a red light, causing him enduring brain injuries.
Phyllis Grassi failed to notice the signal change as she drove her silver Smart Fortwo toward a pedestrian crossing.
She collided with the young boy who stood frozen in the road, sending him 12ft into the air towards his father on the sidewalk, who attempted to catch him.
Despite breaking his finger while cushioning the fall, the boy suffered severe head injuries upon landing near a telegraph pole, leading to brain surgery and a six-week coma.
The court learned that the boy sustained life-altering injuries, including partial vision loss, hearing impairment, mobility issues, and cognitive challenges following the incident in Dorset on March 17, 2024.
Grassi, a mother of five, admitted guilt to causing serious injury by careless driving. Due to her advanced age and poor health, she received a 26-week suspended prison sentence at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Victoria Hill recounted that the boy, seeing the pedestrian light signal his turn to cross, began moving but froze upon realizing Grassi’s car was not stopping.
As the boy attempted to return to safety, Grassi’s vehicle struck him from behind, causing him to soar towards his father, who tried unsuccessfully to catch him, resulting in a significant impact.
The family described the incident as a “nightmare” that forever changed their once vibrant and active son, who was on his way to a local event with his family at the time.
Grassi, who surrendered her license post-incident, expressed deep remorse through her attorney, acknowledging her momentary distraction and the tragic consequences of her oversight.
In sentencing Grassi, Judge Orla Austin acknowledged the severity of the injuries inflicted on the young boy, leading to significant physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges, but considered Grassi’s poor health and low likelihood of reoffending.
Grassi received a five-year driving ban and was ordered to pay £239 in costs and victim surcharge.