Bloved mum Patricia Grace was hit by a lorry while on her way to volunteer at a church in 2022 – but the driver failed to call an ambulance and left her dying on the floor
A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a “devoted mother” who was killed when a lorry driver ran a red light and ploughed into her as she walked to church.
Patricia Grace was hit by an HGV while using a pedestrian crossing on her way to volunteer at a church in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, in October 2022. The driver of the lorry, Dariusz Meczynski, 51, was jailed for three years and nine months this December after pleading guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving.
Grace’s devastated son, Oliver, says his mum’s death was “completely avoidable and needless” as she was simply using a pedestrian crossing that had lit up green to signal that it was safe for her to cross. He said: “The actions of Dariusz Meczynski on that day, behind the wheel of a heavy goods vehicle led to the completely avoidable and needless death of my beloved mother Patricia Grace.”
“My mother left home on that Thursday morning to go volunteer cleaning at her local catholic church. An act of kindness that she had done every Thursday morning for as long as anyone can remember. She did not deserve to lose her life that morning, she was simply using a pedestrian crossing that was on the green for her.”
Oliver said his mum was extra cautious, and had drummed road safety into him and his siblings as children. “We don’t know why Meczynski did not see her but it is clear that he must have been woefully distracted for a prolonged period as he approached the pedestrian crossing that was on red for traffic”, he said.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Grace lay on the cold road dying whilst Meczynski stayed in his cab and called his boss instead of an ambulance. Oliver added: “When the police arrived later that morning at my father’s house, the family home that he shared with his dearly loved wife of 51 years, they were carrying my mother’s bag, they tried her key in the door and at first he thanked them for their time and thought they were returning lost property.
”When they explained the reason for the visit, his life devastatingly changed forever. My parents were simple people, enjoying their retirement and never happier than when touring the country and sometimes further afield in their beloved motorhome.”
The tragedy also brought on great suffering for Oliver’s father, who he says his ”mum did everything for” as the two “were very devoted to each other”. He said: “My father has profound mental health difficulties, and my mum was able to protect him from the outside world and allow him to live the life that they both wanted.
”Since her death, Dad has had to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and deal with all the household expenditures and everything else. Family of course help where we can but we are no substitute for his loving wife. He is a shadow of the man he used to be before this dreadful incident.”
Grace’s death has impacted all who knew her including her only sister, Oliver’s Aunty Jean, who says she misses the telephone calls and regular visits for catch-ups and support. Oliver’s aunt on his father’s side, Carol, also says she has lost her best friend and confidence.
Oliver said: “My mother was well known and loved in the local community for her volunteer work, helping neighbours or simply being remembered as ‘that nice lady, that worked in the local pharmacy. When this tragic event occurred I had recently started my degree to become a qualified paramedic. I am still on the course, but my grades have suffered as a direct result of the stress, and sleepless nights this has put upon me.
“The incident itself is bad enough and has had devastating consequences for us as a family but deep down we as a family understand that this was an accident. ‘We don’t for a second believe that Meczynski woke up that morning with the intention of hurting anyone.”
”However, it is also painfully clear to us as a family that Meczynski has done everything he can to avoid justice, cowardly fleeing the country to avoid facing the consequences of his actions. This has meant that the case has dragged on for nearly two years. Two years of dealing with the police, courts and CPS, furthermore compounding our grief whilst Meczynski has been driving his lorry around Europe living his life whilst ours is in tatters.”
