Woman, 74, killed after lorry driver speeds through red light and knocks her down as family pay tribute to ‘devoted’ mum
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HEARTBREAKING tributes have been paid to a 74-year-old woman who died after a lorry driver sped through a red light and knocked her down. Dariusz Meczynski, 51, failed to stop and ploughed straight into Patricia Grace, who was on her way to clean a church in Oxfordshire.
![[Patricia Grace, 74, was described as a beloved mother and a devoted church volunteer]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-family-paid-tribute-beloved-959714216.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
She had been crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing on Oxford Road in Kidlington when she was hit at around 9.30am on October 2022. Meczynski was jailed for three years and nine months in December after he pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
![[She was on her way to clean a church]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-family-paid-tribute-beloved-959714246_e201f6.jpg?strip=all&w=704)
Now Patricia's son, Oliver, has released a tribute to his mother, describing her death as "completely avoidable and needless". He said: "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.
![[Dariusz Meczynski, 51, failed to stop at a red light and killed Patricia]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000959776350.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
"As we know she was not to arrive that day due to the criminally dangerous driving of Meczynski.". The trainee paramedic continued: "In the immediate aftermath of the incident, while my mother lay on the cold road dying, Meczynski did not get out of his cab.
"He did not try to help or even call for an ambulance. Instead, he phoned his boss. "This is a huge aggravating factor for the family and is just the first instance of his deliberate attempts to try and minimise his involvement to avoid justice.". Devastated Oliver added: "My parents were simple people, enjoying their retirement and never happier than when touring the country and sometimes further afield in their beloved motorhome.
