A 69-year-old driver faces sentencing after a jury convicted her of causing death by careless driving in the tragic incident that killed a Take That fan en route to a concert.

The Fatal Collision

Fiona Hodge, from Bristol, struck Donna Crossman, 53, from Wales, with her Citroen C1 on June 9, 2024, as Crossman walked across Brunel Way toward Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium. Crossman traveled with two friends when Hodge’s red car mounted the pavement, narrowly missing the companions before striking Crossman and hurling her over a railing onto a BMX pump track below the flyover.

Crossman suffered catastrophic injuries and passed away around midnight after her family arrived in Bristol at approximately 10:30 p.m. Post-crash tests confirmed Hodge tested negative for alcohol and drugs.

Court Verdict and Statements

After more than six hours of deliberation, the jury at Bristol Crown Court found Hodge guilty on Monday. She denied responsibility during the trial, stating she had “no recollection” of the moments before the crash. Neurologists later diagnosed her with epilepsy.

Judge Peter Blair KC described the case as “an enormously sad and tragic case for everyone involved.” Hodge awaits sentencing at a future date.

Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingham KC outlined the sequence to the court. At the scene, police interviewed Hodge, who said she “can’t account for what happened” and had “lost her concentration.” When questioned about medical conditions, episodes, or loss of consciousness, she replied “no” to each.

In her testimony, Hodge recalled “an incredible jolt” followed by a “sudden, extremely rapid sense of consequences.” She found herself on the curb facing three women and later told friends in the car, “I think I may have killed someone.”

Family and Defense Perspectives

Donna’s father, Steve Price, remembered his daughter, a 20-year RAF veteran, as “perfect” and “adventurous.” He said, “She was wonderful, so caring, so loving… I know everybody says that about their kids, but she really was. She had a good life, she put a lot in, but she had so much more to give. Her circle of friends is massive, and it’s affecting everyone.”

Defense counsel Ian Bridge argued the collision likely stemmed from an undiagnosed epilepsy condition. Hodge had never experienced a seizure before and reported several “weird” episodes beforehand, though she initially denied any medical issues.