Driver who killed grandmother, 82, when he smashed his Audi S3 into her Kia while speeding at up to 118mph in a 30mph zone is jailed for seven years

• Trent Simm, 25, crashed into Doris Bridgehouse, 82, while speeding at 118mph 

A reckless driver who crashed into a retired nurse at 118 miles per hours while driving in a 30mph zone has been jailed for seven years. 

Trent Simm, 25, was sentenced yesterday to seven years and four months in prison after admitting he caused the death of Doris Bridgehouse by dangerous driving. 

He also pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to her daughter Amanda Holmes and his passenger Aaron Scott in the crash in Littleborough, Lancashire, on May 13.

In emotional scenes at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Neil Usher heard testimony that Simm drove at speeds which victims said ‘were liable to kill someone.’

The father-of-one was also slapped with a five year driving ban when released.

Trent Simm, 25, was sentenced yesterday to seven years and four months in prison after admitting he caused the death of Doris Bridgehouse by dangerous driving

Doris Bridgehouse, 82, was driving her daughter and grandson in her Kia Venga at 27mph when Trent Simm lost control of his Audi S3 at 118mph on a nearside bend and swerved into her path

READ MORE: YOUNG DRIVER KILLED HER BEST FRIEND, 18, WHILE SPEEDING AND ‘CLOWNING AROUND’ 

The court heard Mrs Bridgehouse had been out that evening visiting her grandson’s university presentation; and had driven her daughter and grandson Max for the special occasion.

Grieving daughter Ms Holmes said: ‘It has changed my family and I forever, given my son Max the most dreadful, shocking, and incomprehensible memories and had a catastrophic impact on both my sons’ lives.

‘You have robbed me and my sons of [saying] “goodbye” to mum and nan; and me of the being the mum that I want to be to my sons right now.

‘This is very difficult, and you are going to have to live with your actions for the rest of your life.

‘As much as you have destroyed the dynamics of our family, I think that you have also destroyed a part of your own. I do not feel sorry for you at all. 

‘Driving at those speeds, you are liable to kill someone and you did. So actions have consequences and here we are. Rest in peace, mum.’

Greater Manchester Police was called to a serious collision on Halifax Road in Rochdale on May 13 last year at around 10.55pm.

Officers attended and enquiries revealed that Simm was driving an Audi S3 at excessive speed when he lost control on a nearside bend. 

His car crossed over onto the opposing carriage way and collided with a Kia Venga  travelling in the opposite direction.

Emergency services inspected the Kia and found Mrs Bridgehouse, who was the driver, dead at the scene. Her daughter and grandson, who were passengers in the vehicle, survived the crash.

Mrs Bridgehouse’s Kia Venga was almost completely destroyed in the crash. Mrs Bridgehouse died at the scene while her daughter Amanda and grandson Max were lucky to survive

Simm’s Audi S3 was also a write-off after the horrific collision

CCTV evidence shows the Kia was travelling at an average speed of 27 mph when it was struck by the Audi S3, which was going at around 118 mph.

Sgt Louise Warhurst, from Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘What had started out as a special celebratory occasion for Doris and her family ended in tragedy when through no fault of her own, she encountered Trent Simm driving his Audi S3 at manifestly dangerous speeds.

‘Trent Simm was treating the public highway as his personal racetrack, reaching astonishing speeds of 118mph in a 30mph residential area.

‘He had no regard whatsoever for the safety of all other members of the public using the roads in Rochdale that evening.

‘I would like to thank all the members of the public that tried to assist Doris and her family at the scene of this collision and everyone that came forward to assist the police with their investigation.

‘I would like to thank the family, friends and loved ones of Doris, who have conducted themselves with dignity throughout this investigation.

‘I would also like to remind those who think they can ignore the speed limit to think twice before using their car at high speeds.

‘Your actions can devastate innocent members of the public in a split second and no one deserves to lose a loved one this way.

‘Dangerous drivers will not be tolerated in our communities.

‘Greater Manchester Police will deal with them robustly to keep people safe from illegal and irresponsible drivers.’

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