A 93-year-old driver escaped imprisonment after striking a six-year-old boy while running a red light, causing permanent brain damage. Phyllis Grassi failed to notice the changing traffic lights as she approached a pedestrian crossing in her silver Smart Fortwo. The impact of the collision sent the boy flying 12ft into the air before landing near a telegraph pole, sustaining severe head injuries. The boy’s father, witnessing the incident, rushed to provide aid until emergency services arrived.
Following the incident on Blandford Road in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, on March 17, 2024, the boy suffered life-altering injuries, including vision loss, hearing impairment, mobility issues, and cognitive challenges. Grassi, a mother of five, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving and received a suspended 26-week prison sentence due to her age and health condition.
The court heard how the boy, accompanied by his family, was crossing the street when Grassi’s vehicle failed to stop at the red light. The family expressed the ongoing nightmare they endure since the incident, emphasizing the drastic changes in the boy’s life post-accident. Grassi, who surrendered her driving license after the incident, expressed deep remorse for the tragic outcome caused by a momentary lapse of concentration.
In sentencing Grassi, Jurge Orla Austin noted the severe impact of her actions on the young boy, resulting in permanent physical and cognitive difficulties. Despite being disqualified from driving for five years and ordered to pay costs and victim surcharge, Grassi’s ill health and remorse were taken into consideration by the court.