Driver 'could not account' for fatal crash

A driver who hit and killed a woman who was walking to a Take That concert said she could not "think of a single reason" the crash happened, a court has heard.

Fiona Hodge, 69, denies causing death by careless driving after Donna Crossman, 53, died from "catastrophic injuries" after the incident in June 2024.

Bristol Crown Court heard on Monday that Crossman had been walking across Brunel Way in Bristol towards Ashton Gate Stadium when the car driven by Hodge hit her.

Video from a police interview with Hodge - carried out hours after the crash - was shown earlier to the jury, and included her saying: "I don't know how I lost my concentration or mounted the pavement."

"I can't account for what happened [...] It was a very nasty accident," she added.

On Monday, defending barrister Ian Bridge told the court it was "likely that this collision happened because she was suffering from an undiagnosed condition called epilepsy".

Crossman, from Bridgend in South Wales, was thrown over roadside railings and onto a skate park below, the court heard on Monday.

During the police interview shown in court, Hodge, from St Werburghs in Bristol, said she had no recollection of a medical episode and did not think she had lost consciousness.

"I just don't know why I did it and that's the honest truth of it," she added. "I can't think of a single reason why I did it."

Later in the interview she told police: "It wasn't as though I was singing, or drinking out of a bottle, or looking at my phone. I'm ever so sorry, I wish I could explain."

The court was also shown bodyworn footage of a police officer speaking to Hodge at the scene of the crash, where she passed both an alcohol and drugs test.

In the clip she could be seen repeatedly apologising for what had happened, adding: "I feel so awful."

"Something very serious has happened and it's possible I may have killed somebody," she said.

The trial continues.

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