A driver who veered onto the wrong side of the road, killing a 17-year-old girl and seriously injuring her best friend, has been spared jail after being sentenced at Truro Crown Court.
Russell Hitchcock, 45, from Plymouth, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving after his Ford Transit flatbed van collided head-on with Alisha Osman’s Vauxhall Corsa on the A388 at Stoke Climsland on 27 April 2023.
Crash Details
- Hitchcock was driving home from work when he suddenly veered over the double white lines into oncoming traffic.
- Alisha, who had passed her driving test just 10 days earlier, was dropping her friend home from college before heading to the supermarket.
- The impact killed Alisha instantly and left her 16-year-old passenger, Imogen Holt, with life-changing injuries.
Court Proceedings
In his police statement, Hitchcock said he had no recollection of crossing into the wrong lane, adding that he felt “a bit drowsy” earlier but had opened a window and felt fine.
Forensic experts ruled out speeding, mobile phone use, or intoxication as factors in the crash. Hitchcock was taking antihistamines for hay fever, but it was deemed unlikely they impaired his driving ability.
A witness described Hitchcock’s van as making a “sudden and unexpected movement”, forcing them to brake sharply before hearing a loud bang from the collision.
Imogen, who spent three days in intensive care, suffered a scalp haematoma, multiple fractures, and severe internal injuries. She continues to undergo treatment for both physical and psychological trauma, including PTSD and nightmares.
Victim’s Family Devastated
Alisha’s mother, Angela Osman, paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as passionate about animals and farming, with dreams of pursuing an agricultural career.
“She was never afraid of hard work and would stay up late to help with lambing. She had a bright future ahead of her,” Ms Osman said.
She added that her family is consumed by grief and anger every day, saying:
“My world collapsed when I lost my daughter. Life now feels hollow.”
Sentence Sparks Debate
Judge Simon Carr acknowledged that Hitchcock had no history of dangerous driving and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He ruled the crash was caused by a “momentary but catastrophic loss of control”, sentencing Hitchcock to:
- 21 months in prison, suspended for two years
- 240 hours of unpaid work as part of a one-year community order
- A two-year driving ban
Hitchcock’s lawyer said he deeply regretted the crash and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
The sentencing has sparked mixed reactions, with many arguing that the punishment does not reflect the devastation caused to Alisha’s family.
This tragic case has once again highlighted calls for stricter penalties for careless driving offenses.
