A delivery driver has been locked up for six years after a reckless overtaking manoeuvre claimed the life of little Elsie Gascoigne, seven, as she was coming home from spending her Christmas money.
Veselin Dudenski, 39, admitted causing Elsie’s death by dangerous driving at Lincoln Crown Court. He also pleaded guilty to seriously injuring her dad and another adult in the smash.
Fatal Crash on Lincolnshire Road
The horror crash happened on 3 January in Nocton, Lincolnshire. Dudenski, behind the wheel of a white van, attempted a risky overtake across a hidden dip in the road, smashing head-on into a blue Kia carrying Elsie and her family.
Elsie was rushed to hospital but tragically died the next day, leaving her parents devastated beyond words.
Her father, who was driving, suffered permanent injuries including fractures to his breastbone, lower back, and arm, which will affect him for life.
Ignored Warning Signs Before Deadly Move
Prosecutor Claire Holmes revealed that Dudenski ignored clear road signs warning of the hidden dip ahead. Despite the danger, he chose to overtake, plunging into a blind spot where he couldn’t see oncoming traffic.
“You simply did not take the time and care you needed,” Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight scolded, sentencing Dudenski.
Road markings and signs were clear, but Dudenski risked it all anyway—causing fatal consequences.
Defence Calls It a ‘Catastrophic Error of Judgement’
Dudenski’s barrister argued he genuinely thought the road was clear and that the dip was farther ahead—a tragic miscalculation rather than deliberate recklessness.
The court heard Dudenski had 17 years’ driving experience, was not distracted, speeding, or under the influence at the time, making the fatal mistake all the more baffling.
Heartbreaking Tribute From Grieving Parents
“Losing Elsie is not just the loss of a child, it’s the loss of our entire future. We have lost her laughter, her dreams and everything she would have become,”
— Elsie’s parents
They described their daughter as “bright, loving, funny and full of life.” Her death shattered a close bond and left a family broken beyond repair.
Long Ban and Deportation Added to Sentence
Alongside six years behind bars, Dudenski received an eight-year driving ban starting after his release, keeping him off UK roads well into the 2030s.
As a foreign national, he also faces automatic deportation following his prison term, separating him from his young child who stays in the UK.
Community Mourns Young Life Lost
Elsie’s tragic death has rocked her community, with many remembering her vibrant spirit and zest for life—snatched away in a split second by one reckless decision.
The case stands as a grim warning about the deadly risks of misjudged overtaking, especially where road visibility is limited.
