A lorry driver who sped through a red light and killed a woman who was crossing the road has been jailed for nearly four years – as her heartbroken family paid tribute.
Dariusz Meczynski, 51, failed to stop and ploughed straight into Patricia Grace, 74, who was on her way to clean a church in Oxfordshire in October 2022.
She had been crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing on Oxford Road in Kidlington when she was hit at around 9.30am.
Meczynski was jailed for three years and nine months in December after he pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Now Ms Grace’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. 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.
Patricia Grace had been crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing on Oxford Road in Kidlington when she was hit at around 9.30am on October 20, 2022
Dariusz Meczynski, 51, failed to stop and ploughed straight into Patricia Grace, 74, who was on her way to clean a church in Oxfordshire
Patricia Grace has been described as a beloved mother and a devoted church volunteer
‘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 minimize his involvement to avoid justice.’
‘My parents were simple people, enjoying their retirement and never happier than when touring the country and sometimes further afield in their beloved motorhome,’ he added.
‘It is no small exaggeration to say that mum did everything for dad and they were very devoted to each other still living in the same house my brother and I grew up in.’
Oxford Crown Court heard that Meczynski failed to stop at a traffic lights and hit Ms Grace as she crossed the road.
The 74-year-old sustained fatal injuries and sadly died at the scene.
Meczynski was arrested on October 20 and was charged by postal requisition on March 6 this year.
Lead investigator Richard Thorpe, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Tragically, as a direct result of Meczynski’s driving, he failed to stop at a red traffic light and collided with the victim resulting in her death.
‘My thoughts and the thoughts of all of us remain with the victim’s family and friends who have shown great dignity and patience while we brought this case to court.
‘Meczynski will now have to serve a prison sentence, where I hope he reflects on this needless and avoidable tragedy.’
