Woman Avoids Jail After Fatal Road Accident
Antrim Woman Avoids Jail After Fatal Hit-and-Run, Receives Combination Order
A woman from Antrim who left the scene of a fatal collision with a pedestrian has been handed an enhanced combination order by a district judge.Zoe Wallace, 25, of Grange Drive, ballymoney, was sentenced at Ballymena Magistrates court on Thursday.
District Judge Nigel Broderick imposed a 18-month probation period and 100 hours of community service, alongside a nine-month driving ban.The judge stressed the seriousness of the sentence,warning Wallace that “this is not an easy option” and that “no second chances” would be given. Failure to comply with the conditions would result in resentencing and “immediate custody.”
Wallace had previously pleaded guilty to charges of failing to remain and report following an accident that caused injury. The incident occurred on the evening of August 28th, 2022, on Cushendall Road in Ballymena. the pedestrian, John Corr, 57, from Ballymena, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses at the time reported seeing a woman at the scene state she had hit the male before leaving the area in a gray BMW with a male passenger. The following morning, Wallace’s mother contacted the police, believing her daughter had been involved in a road traffic collision. Officers attended an address and arrested Wallace. Her BMW, found parked at a business premises, displayed damage to its front passenger side, bonnet, and windscreen.
During police interviews, Wallace admitted to colliding with Mr. Corr.She stated that while she had consumed alcohol on August 27th, she had stopped drinking around 3 am on the morning of the accident. She claimed she stopped and saw Mr. Corr on the road,but due to other people assisting him and her not knowing he had died,she ”panicked and left.”
Defense counsel Thomas McKeever conveyed Wallace’s condolences to the family of the deceased, stating she had stopped at the scene for approximately ten minutes.He suggested her passenger had encouraged her to leave as he was in breach of bail conditions. Mr. McKeever acknowledged that leaving the scene was a “very foolish thing to do” and that Wallace would “have to live with that for the rest of her life.”
The court heard that Wallace had no prior convictions at the time of the incident. However,she has since been convicted of several driving offences,including driving while unfit,dangerous driving,failing to stop,and having no insurance in April 2023,and further convictions for failing to stop,no insurance,and driving while banned in July 2023.Mr. McKeever highlighted that Wallace was homeless and living in her car at the time of the offense. He stated she has since received strong family support and is now a “very different person,” with plans to commence a university course. he concluded by saying she is “still a young lady who has, hopefully, a promising life ahead.”
Judge Broderick indicated that it was “not without some hesitation” that he decided to impose the enhanced combination order and driving ban.