A 93-year-old driver has escaped imprisonment after hitting a six-year-old boy while running a red light, causing him lasting brain damage. Phyllis Grassi failed to notice the changing traffic lights as she approached a pedestrian crossing in her silver Smart Fortwo.
The impact of the collision sent the boy flying 12ft into the air, landing next to a telegraph pole with severe head injuries. The child, who underwent brain surgery and spent six weeks in a coma, suffered life-altering consequences including partial loss of sight, deafness in one ear, mobility issues, and cognitive impairments.
Grassi, a mother of five, admitted to causing serious injury by careless driving in court. Due to her age and health conditions, she received a 26-week suspended prison sentence. The prosecution highlighted how the boy’s father witnessed the tragic event unfold when the defendant’s vehicle failed to stop at the crossing.
The boy’s family expressed the ongoing nightmare they have endured since the incident, emphasizing the profound impact on their son’s life. Grassi, who surrendered her driving license immediately after the accident, expressed deep remorse for the momentary lapse of attention that led to the tragedy.
In sentencing Grassi, the judge acknowledged the seriousness of the injuries inflicted on the young boy and the enduring trauma caused to his family. Grassi was banned from driving for five years and ordered to pay costs and victim surcharge fees.