'Devoted' mum killed when lorry driver ran red light as she walked to church
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A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a "devoted mother" who was killed when a lorry driver ran a red light and ploughed into her as she walked to church. Patricia Grace was hit by an HGV while using a pedestrian crossing on her way to volunteer at a church in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, in October 2022. The driver of the lorry, Dariusz Meczynski, 51, was jailed for three years and nine months this December after pleading guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving.
Grace's devastated son, Oliver, says his mum's death was "completely avoidable and needless" as she was simply using a pedestrian crossing that had lit up green to signal that it was safe for her to cross. He said: "The actions of Dariusz Meczynski on that day, behind the wheel of a heavy goods vehicle led to the completely avoidable and needless death of my beloved mother Patricia Grace.".
"My mother left home on that Thursday morning to go volunteer cleaning at her local catholic church. An act of kindness that she had done every Thursday morning for as long as anyone can remember. She did not deserve to lose her life that morning, she was simply using a pedestrian crossing that was on the green for her.".
Oliver said his mum was extra cautious, and had drummed road safety into him and his siblings as children. "We don't know why Meczynski did not see her but it is clear that he must have been woefully distracted for a prolonged period as he approached the pedestrian crossing that was on red for traffic", he said.
