Grandmother's Cry for Change After Horrific Accident

A Derry woman has said that the memory of a car driving over her three-year-old granddaughter will haunt her for the rest of her life as she calls for legislative change to limit elderly drivers.

Impact of the Accident

Donna Deeney and her young granddaughter Fiadh were injured when they were hit by 87-year-old driver Valerie Greenwood on Main Street, Eglington in December 2023, while they were attempting to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing. Donna suffered a broken leg and wrist and has been left permanently traumatised by the ordeal. Fiadh was lucky to avoid serious injuries due to her grandmother being hit by the vehicle first and protecting her from the initial impact of the car, however she is no longer the same boisterous wee girl she was and has become nervous and insecure due to the ordeal and still suffers nightmares.

Call for Change

Ms Deeney is now backing the campaign by the family of tragic eight-year-old Scarlett Rossborough, who was killed in a collision by a driver in his 90s, calling for the introduction of testing for elderly drivers and the compulsory surrendering of a driving licence by the age of 85. She has said that it is the height of lunacy that there is no cut-off period for elderly drivers and that legally someone who is over 100 years old could get behind the wheel of a car.

Personal Impact

Ms Deeney said: "I came to court this morning fully expecting that Valerie Greenwood would walk away having paid little or no penalty for the grievous injuries she inflicted on me. Despite this, hearing the judge's words was like getting slapped on the face. It was hard to take."

Ms Deeney's heartfelt plea sheds light on the need for stricter regulations to protect pedestrians and ensure the safety of all road users.