Pensioner avoids jail after teenager forgives him for leaving her on life support

An OAP who ploughed into a teenage girl and left her fighting for life has narrowly avoided jail after his victim kindly forgave him in an emotionally-charge face-to-face meeting.                                                                                                                    Widower Thomas Frazer, 72, ploughed into 17 year-old Ellie Steel with his Vauxhall Insignia car as she stepped onto a zebra crossing leaving college in Widnes, Cheshire, in November 2023 – leaving her with a fractured skull, spine, pelvis and collar bone, bleeding and placed in an induced coma.

The distraught grandfather, a retired HGV driver, said he had a momentary lapse of concentration and had not seen Miss Steel as it was dark and raining.                                                                                                                                                        Frazer admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and faced up to 26 weeks jail but he escaped with a fine and road ban after the court heard she had forgiven him during an emotional face-to-face meeting.

At Warrington Magistrates Court, the now 18 year-old Miss Steel and her family watched from the public gallery as Frazer was fined £307, made to pay £208 in costs and surcharge and banned from driving for three years. 

Magistrate Chair Ian Williams told Frazer: “This was a very serious accident with very serious and life threatening injuries to the victim. 

“But we have also heard the graciousness of the victim’s family in forgiving you for what you did which is most welcome and frankly quite unusual. I am also sure that you have had remorse for what you did ever since.” 

He told Miss Steel and her relatives: “Thank you to the family for attending court today and also for being so understanding of this gentlemen. It is most appreciated.” 

Prosecutor Louise Dempster explained how on 13th November 2023 at 7.40pm Miss Steel left Riverside College in Widnes and was crossing a road at a zebra crossing. 

Ms Dempster said: “It was dark and raining heavily. he defendant approached the crossing from a roundabout. 

“Despite Miss Steel being on the zebra crossing the defendant proceeded to drive and collided with Miss Steel. She sustained life threatening injuries. 

“She was placed in an induced coma by the hospital. Injuries were a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, a fractured right cheek bone, a fractured eye socket, a fractured collar bone, a fractured lower spine and four fractures to the pelvis. 

“Miss Steel’s thinking processes have still not returned to normal as a result of the collision and the injuries sustained. 

“She was unable to complete her college course that she was taking at that time of the incident. Prior to the collision Miss Steel had no learning disabilities or issues engaging with the college course. 

“She is currently in a rehabilitation centre to help rehabilitate her both physically and cognitively from the injuries sustained. 

“I have spoken to Miss Steel and the family and admirably she has told me to convey that she and her family have forgiven the defendant and do not hold any grudge against him.”

Frazer was said to be in such shock at the roadside he was not able to speak into the phone when he called 999 and a passersby had to take the device off him to speak the operator. 

Baljit Singh, defending, said: “The culpability was a momentary lapse of Mr Frazer’s concentration. 

“It had been raining for three days and Mr Frazer was driving below the speed limit. He was aware of the conditions therefore adjusted his speed to manage those conditions. 

“The pedestrian crossing is well illuminated. However the surrounding area on the approach is not as well illuminated. 

“As Mr Frazer is approaching in his vehicle, he has checked and he cannot see that there is anybody there at the crossing. 

“However, what we do know is that Miss Steel did approach the crossing and was visible but given the weather conditions and wipers that Mr Frazer had on, he simply did not see Miss Steel. 

“That has resulted in Miss Steel stepping onto the crossing as Mr Frazer has approached and the collision has occurred in that way.” 

He added: “He has accepted that perhaps he could have and should have done more in those circumstances to prevent this incident taking place.” 

“Mr Frazer is a man of good character and has no previous convictions to his name whatsoever. But there is of course no getting away from the injuries sustained by Miss Steel and the rehabilitation that she is still going through. 

“There was a meeting between the two and it was an emotional meeting. All I can do is express his gratitude that they have had the opportunity to meet and Miss Steel’s bravery to come to court and go through that procedure. That speaks for itself. 

“After the passing of his wife six years ago, he attends to the grave to lay flowers every week. He lives on his own and is effectively isolated. He has been concerned with Miss Steel’s wellbeing every day.”