Reckless Driver Jailed for Nearly Killing Elderly Woman

0:00A 29-year-old driver from near Lester named Dalton Marlow plowed head-on into an 80-year-old woman's Kia at a traffic calming gate last August. High on cannabis, four times over the drug limit, and just above the drink-drive threshold, he was speeding past the stopped car that had yielded to her. Dashcam footage captured the crash, flipping her vehicle back into a lorry behind. Marlow only held a provisional license, lacked L-plates, and his sister passenger wasn't qualified to supervise. He admitted to police he'd been out till 2 a.m. the night before, drinking and smoking joints, estimating his speed at 40-50 mph. Delays in the case block charges for those driving offences, but the judge factored them in. The elderly victim endured nine broken ribs, a fractured collarbone and sternum. Spine and pelvis damage, collapse lungs, respiratory failure, and sciatic nerve injury. Lester's cutter from the wreckage, she spent six weeks in hospital and now needs home care. Her husband explained she skipped a victim statement to avoid reliving the trauma.

1:04In Lester Crown Court on March 20th, Marlow pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. His lawyer highlighted his remorse, clean record, full-time job, and personal struggles, including a daughter with an ex. Judge Stephen Evans slammed the reckless driving that nearly killed her, him, and his sister, calling it extraordinary disregard for others. Marlow got 27 months in jail, and a three-year driving man, plus an extended test afterward. Cases like this remind us, roads demand full focus, no shortcuts. From your city powered by AI, this is Lester News Today, I'm Corey with The Story.