The 78-year-old woman from Veendam who caused a fatal accident in front of her house last year will be fined by the court on Tuesday. Justice demanded community service, but according to the judges the woman acted out of fear.
Last year, things went horribly wrong on the Continentenlaan in Veendam when the woman, then 77 years old, wanted to drive backwards down the dam from her house. She lets the car roll down the driveway, but is shocked when she thinks she sees a cyclist fall onto the street behind her. She accidentally steps on the accelerator instead of the brake.
The woman on the bicycle becomes seriously trapped under the car and is ultimately seriously injured and taken to the UMCG. She died there a week later from her injuries, at the age of 50.
‘There are no words for this’
Two weeks ago, the elderly driver said he was still devastated by the accident. She contacted relatives, but they indicated that they were not ready to do so yet. “I can imagine that,” she said. “That loss is because of me. Even if I didn’t do it on purpose. There are no words for this.”
The Public Prosecution Service demanded a community service of 120 hours, half of which is conditional, and a driving ban of one year. According to the public prosecutor, the woman acted carelessly and the fatal accident was her fault.
‘Woman never wanted these consequences’
The court ruled on Tuesday that the cyclist was hit after a startled reaction by the woman. According to the judges, this means that there was one traffic error, with disastrous consequences. “The woman obviously did not want the consequences. This suffering is irreparable for the surviving relatives. The driver will have to carry that burden with her for the rest of her life.”
Despite the horrific consequences, that single traffic error is classified as a misdemeanor and not a crime, meaning the penalties are lower. The court also takes into account that the woman has been driving a car for decades and has never caused accidents before.
The judges impose a fine of 1,000 euros on her and a six-month driving ban. The latter will have few consequences, as the woman surrendered her driver’s license immediately after the tragic accident.