Fiona Hodge was driving a Citroen C1 with two passengers when the car left the carriageway, according to major media reports. The vehicle narrowly missed pedestrian Donna Crossman's two friends but struck Crossman, knocking her over railings and sending her falling to the ground below. Crossman died from her catastrophic injuries.
Hodge has pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Bristol Crown Court, with her defense expected to argue she experienced an epileptic seizure. Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingham stated that after the crash, police interviewed Hodge at the scene where she said she could not account for what happened and had lost her concentration. Hodge tested negative for drink and drugs following the incident.
Crossman's friends are expected to testify they were chatting before the vehicle suddenly drifted left and hit the pavement, aware of the red car mounting it and narrowly missing them but striking their friend. According to Vaitilingham, the prosecution contends the most likely explanation was that Hodge was not driving with the expected level of care and attention, leading to devastating consequences. The exact cause of the vehicle mounting the pavement remains unclear, as the defense and prosecution present different explanations.
It is unknown what specific evidence supports Hodge's insanity claim or when a verdict is expected.