Young driver who'd just passed test hit and killed 'amazing' grandfather on zebra crossing – Wales Online

A driver who had recently passed her test struck and killed a 73-year-old man as he was walking across a zebra crossing. The victim suffered severe head injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, and died in hospital three months later.
Dima Sarafa, 20, killed Philip Jones on January 6, 2023, after he had alighted from a bus moments earlier and was making his way across the road. She was later described as "hysterical" and "crying and throwing up" at the side of the road as the victim was treated.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard Mr Jones had stepped off a bus in Llanedeyrn Drive in Cardiff and after exchanging pleasantries with a dog walker, he walked towards a zebra crossing. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
The defendant was on her lunch break and was returning to work at a dental practice as she drove in a southerly direction on Llanedeyrn Drive in her Ford Fiesta.
Mr Jones began to cross the zebra crossing when he was struck by Sarafa's car, which did not appear to brake before the collision.
The dog walker did not witness the collision but described hearing a "thud and bang". He turned around and saw the car stopping and Mr Jones on the floor towards the back of the car.
It was clear the victim had injuries to his head and there was blood on the floor, the court heard. Sarafa could be heard repeatedly saying to Mr Jones that he was not on the zebra crossing.
A witness on a bus described seeing the defendant crying and throwing up, and described her as "hysterical" and was heard saying "I didn't see him". There were a number of people surrounding Mr Jones and attempting to assist him.
A passing physiotherapist attempted to open Mr Jones' airways while an off duty nurse monitored his blood saturation and pulse, and the victim's ex-wife also attended the scene having been in the shopping centre nearby.
Mr Jones was taken to the University Hospital of Wales and was found to have suffered a wound to the back of his head, a right leg injury, a skull fracture and extensive bleeding on the surface and within the brain.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Mr Jones died as a result of his head injuries on April 11, 2023.
The defendant was spoken to by police and was described as "distressed". She was tested for drugs and alcohol, which were negative, and her phone was examined.
A forensic collision investigation revealed there would have been a glare in the driver's vision at the time of the collision, but she would have been able to see a pedestrian in the road.
It was also discovered the Fiesta was driving between 24mph to 25mph in a 20mph zone at the time of the collision, and there was no evidence of braking until the point of impact.
Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said the defendant had only passed her test three months before the collision.
Sarafa, of Clos Hector, Pengam Green, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving. The court heard she was of previous good character.
Reading her own victim personal statement to the court, Mr Jones' daughter, Beverly Jones, said: "I'd like to tell you a little bit about our dad Philip Jones and the person he was. Difficult, stubborn, cantankerous, and fiercely protective of our family. He'd put everyone before himself, was well liked in the community and went out of his way for neighbours. There was nothing he wouldn't do for us…
"On January 6, 2023, when we received the call to say our dad had been hit by a car our lives as a family changed forever. From the initial shock, rushing to the emergency unit, waiting hours for an update and the endless hours of pacing the hospital corridors. In the trauma unit we visited at every opportunity.
"Eventually, after months of watching him in distress, crying and calling out for his parents who had passed away when we were children and asking for his daughters when we were sat there with him, we were told nothing more could be done and he would be moved to palliative care.
"From then on for the next week we were at his bedside, watching and waiting until he took his last breath. In those three-and-a-half months of hospital visits, my sister's birthday, my nephew's 21st, and my dad's birthday all went uncelebrated. We never got to speak to him again, from the day he was hit he didn't know who we were or recognise us…
"Since the accident we were merely existing as a family. The stress and anxiety we have had has had a far reaching impact on us all… Why, why didn't he come home. He simply went out to do a weekly shop… That day took part of who we were and I am not sure we will ever return to the people we were before. I'm not sure I remember what that looks like…
"We as a family have never been out for revenge, we only want justice. We need you to acknowledge while out driving you had a responsibility to concentrate and focus at all times, no matter how familiar a journey it was and no matter how good a driver you thought you were.
"You will go on to live a long life and we hope you use that time to reflect on what you did and use it in a positive way to educate other younger drivers how one moment of inattention can have such far reaching and devastating consequences…
"(Our dad) was amazing and we miss him every day. You raised us well dad and we will always strive to make you proud."
In mitigation, Andrew Taylor said his client had not driven since the collision and described it as a "truly, truly tragic case".
The barrister said this was a case of "inexperience" rather than irresponsibility and described the defendant as "devastated" to think she had caused the loss of Mr Jones' life.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson said: "(Mr Jones) was a father and grandfather who was much loved by his family. He had a full life to live and was living that life until that day in January. It's plain from all I have read, Mr Jones was utterly blameless for what took place, the responsibility for this collision lies entirely and squarely on you…
"The sentence I impose today cannot be any measure of what Mr Jones' full and cherished life is worth, no sentence can ever be."
Sarafa was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
She was ordered to carry out a 10 day rehabilitation activity requirement, to perform 200 hours unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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