A hit-and-run driver dragged a 59-year-old mother 58 meters under his speeding vehicle before fleeing the scene, leaving her to die on the road.
The Fatal Collision
Diane Jones was walking home in Sunderland with a friend on Valentine’s night when Reece Roberts, 27, struck her with his Volvo XC90. Traveling at an estimated 77mph, the banned driver pulled her along the carriageway, causing catastrophic injuries including the dismemberment of her leg.
Dashcam footage captured Roberts speeding away without stopping as Jones lay critically injured in the middle of the road.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Roberts pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving while disqualified and uninsured. Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to 10 years and eight months in prison, plus a 20-year-and-one-month driving ban.
Prosecutor Omar Ahmad stated: “Upon impact, Miss Jones was dragged by the vehicle for approximately 58 meters along the carriageway before she came to a rest in the middle of the road. The defendant didn’t stop or seemingly even hesitate while dragging Miss Jones down the road, or after. He continued driving at excessive speed.”
Judge Tim Gittins remarked: “You deliberately, arrogantly and selfishly ignored the disqualification and chose not just to drive but to do so in the most obviously dangerous fashion. You were a fatal accident waiting to happen and sadly so it proved to be. All for the reason of going out for some milk.”
Driver’s Prior Record
Roberts had a history of dangerous driving. In 2020, he served time for causing serious injury in another hit-and-run and received a driving ban with an extended test requirement. Witnesses saw him driving erratically that night while heading out for milk.
Victim Impact Statement
Diane’s daughter Hannah delivered a powerful statement in court: “I hope she haunts you for the rest of your days. I’m curious to know how you sleep at night knowing what you did? How do you look your own mam in the eyes knowing that you outright killed mine and didn’t bother to stop?”
She continued: “You left my mam lay in the road like a worthless piece of meat, you continued to drive the streets like a lunatic after you hit her. Could you imagine for just a second, that the shoe was on the other foot? Could you imagine it was your loved one hit at such a speed and left there to die?”
Hannah described the ongoing grief: “A glass of wine still sits on the windowsill of Diane’s home and her make up is still laid out on the dressing table. Her dog Lola wanders around the house aimlessly crying and howling, clearly waiting for Mam to come home.”
She added: “I know you will never be able to comprehend the extent of your actions and there will be no amount of time given to you today that will soften the blow of losing my mam. Even a life sentence would never be enough.”
