Family tribute to Jill Crisp: a real life superhero

The family of a woman who died in a fatal road traffic collision in Christchurch has issued a tribute after the driver involved was sentenced at court

Author: Michael SmithPublished 8th Mar 2023
Last updated 8th Mar 2023

Brian Martindale, aged 57 and of Bournemouth, was sentenced at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6 March 2023 after admitting a charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

He was made the subject of a community order, with a requirement to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95.

The collision happened on Airfield Way in Christchurch in January

Martindale was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

At around 11.40am on Thursday 13 January 2022 Dorset Police was called to reports of a collision that occurred in Airfield Way involving a Mercedes Sprinter dropside lorry and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, 79-year-old local woman Jill Crisp, was treated for serious injuries, but despite the best efforts of paramedics she sadly died at the scene.

Witnesses described how Mrs Crisp was crossing the road when the lorry, being driven by Martindale, pulled out into the road and into her path.

The family of Jill Crisp said in a statement following the hearing:

“She was kind, selfless, always putting others before her own needs/wants. She was integral to our family and her family was so important to her. She was such an amazing role model, our real life superhero who held us all together. She is so missed, we will be forever heartbroken.”

Sergeant Jay Griffin, of the traffic unit, said:

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Jill Crisp and clearly no sentence will ever compensate for the loss they have endured.

“This case is another tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of even a momentary lapse in concentration when behind the wheel of a vehicle and I hope it serves as a reminder to motorists of the need to drive carefully and considerately at all times.”

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