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Driver jailed for causing death of Take That fan

Beth CruseWest of England
BBC Fiona Hodge is pictured walking into court. She has short, light-coloured hair and is wearing dark-framed glasses. She is wearing a dark green jacket with the collar up. The expression on her face is serious.BBC
Fiona Hodge was also given a two-and-a-half year driving ban

A 69-year-old woman has been jailed for a year for killing a pedestrian who was on her way to a Take That concert.

Fiona Hodge, from St Werburghs in Bristol, was found guilty after a trial of causing the death of 53-year-old Donna Crossman, who was hit by Hodge's car and died while walking to the concert at Ashton Gate Stadium in June 2024.

Hodge was jailed at Bristol Crown Court on Monday for causing death by careless driving, and banned from driving for two-and-a-half years.

"The moment her heart stopped beating, our lives shattered into a million pieces, never to be whole again," said Crossman's mother Annette Price in a statement read out in court.

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The court heard how Crossman, from Bridgend in Wales, had been walking across Brunel Way on the way to the concert on 9 June with two friends.

Hodge was driving a red Citroen and had two friends in the car with her after spending the day walking in the Mendip Hills.

The car went up onto the pavement, narrowly missing Crossman's friends, and sent her over the roadside railings.

Hodge previously told Bristol Crown Court she had "no recollection" of the moments leading up to the crash. She has since been diagnosed with epilepsy by neurologists.

Stephen Price A woman with short blonde hair is sitting on a sofa and smiling. She is resting her head on her dog which is on her shoulder, and appears to be a white Jack Russell.Stephen Price
Donna Crossman served in the RAF for 19 years

In a statement read out in court, Price paid tribute to her "much-loved" daughter who had served in the RAF for 19 years.

"From the day she was born and throughout her life, she brought us so much joy," she said.

Crossman worked for the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and was a team manager for the Wales Women's Rugby Team and Welsh Netball Team.

"She was a truly amazing woman," Price added. "To us, her family, she was our rock."

She said Crossman's family and friends were "still traumatised by her loss".

Stephen Price Donna Crossman, who has shoulder-length dark brown hair. She is smiling at the camera. She is outside and appears to be standing in front of a rocky cliff or cave. She is wearing a striped white and grey top. Stephen Price
Crossman's mum said her daughter brought "so much joy"

Designated Investigating Officer Noelie Poupard from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "For more than two years [her family] have waited with remarkable strength, dignity and patience for this case to conclude.

"Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of the consequences of Hodge's actions and provides a measure of accountability for what happened."

Hodge was also been ordered to pay more than £3,000 in legal costs.

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