Woman jailed for causing death of grandmother in Northampton
The 59 year old pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving
59-year-old woman has been jailed following a fatal crash that caused the death of an 83-year-old grandmother in Northampton.
The collision happened the 13th December 2024, when Samantha Curtis, driving a blue Ford EcoSport, crossed into the opposing carriageway on Talavera Way.
She collided head-on with a red Vauxhall Agila, inside which was Yvonne Bruce and her grandson Daniel.
Yvonne died at the scene, while Daniel suffered serious injuries.
Yvonne, affectionately known as Nanny Tiggy, had recently moved to Northampton from Essex to be closer to her family.
“She was such a clever, hardworking woman with a strong mind,” Yvonne’s daughter Suzanne said.
“She could be strict at times, but she had a heart of gold. She was incredibly generous, sarcastic, and always ready with a sharp, witty comment. Yet to her grandchildren she was a complete softy - she loved watching them grow and was always there whenever they needed her.
“Whenever funerals came up, she refused to talk about them, saying she wasn’t ready to die - “I’m not going anywhere,” she would say.”
Yvonne's grandson, Daniel, expressed in his victim personal statement how the move had given her a new lease of life, allowing them to spend quality time together:
"We were all really enjoying seeing her more and spending quality time with her. I would see her at least once a week; helping her out at home and taking her to the shops. It was so nice having her around.”
At the time of her death, Yvonne was on her way to Aldi for her food shop with Daniel.
Daniel detailed his extensive injuries from the collision, including fractures requiring surgery and numerous cuts and bruises.
Although he continues to recover, his quality of life has been impacted both physically and mentally.
Curtis, of Bouverie Road, Northampton, was arrested at the scene and charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
In January, she pleaded guilty to the charges at Northampton Crown Court.
On Monday (23 March), she was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of three years and nine months for causing Yvonne's death and two years and three months for the injuries to Daniel.
Curtis was also disqualified from driving for eight years and 10 months and ordered to take an extended re-test.
Detective Constable Eleanor Hudson from Northamptonshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit commented on the distress Curtis' driving caused the family, highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of prescription medication:
“Samantha Curtis’ dangerous driving has caused untold distress to this family who have had to bury their mother, grandmother and great grandmother as a result of it. Daniel also suffers with the injuries caused by this collision over a year later which continue to affect his daily life.
“At the time of the collision, she was taking 17 prescription medications and had various physical and mental ailments so I hope this case serves as a lesson to anyone taking prescription medication - whilst not illegal, prescription drugs can cause inattention and drowsiness, and driving under the influence of them should be treated with great caution.
“Let this case be a lesson to everyone who gets behind the wheel - driving is a privilege and in the wrong hands, a car can kill."