A36 crash: Pensioner caused life-changing injuries to motorcyclist

Susan Meadows, 76, of Lacey Road, carelessly veered onto the wrong side of the A36 northbound near Stapleford after approaching a corner too quickly on July 18 last year.

The retired Bristolian ploughed into Kevin McLoughlin, a man in his 60s who had to be airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where he spent four months recovering.

Signage recommends a maximum speed of 30 miles-per-hour at the corner, which joins a junction to Berwick Road, but Meadows was driving at the legal limit of 40mph.

When Mr McLoughlin woke up in intensive care he discovered two rods had been put in his back, eight screws and a steel rod held his pelvis together, his arm was pinned and his leg had been amputated. 

Seeing his wife and brother "in tears" by his bedside, a previously fit and healthy Mr McLoughlin realised he was "lucky to survive" the devastating crash.

The retired air conditioning engineer now finds himself a single, wheelchair-reliant man who attends hospital rehabilitation three times a week as he awaits a prosthetic limb.

Susan Meadows crashed into Kevin McLoughlin at this section of the A36. (Image: Google Maps)

In a victim impact statement read to Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, April 26, Mr McLoughlin said: "Since the incident my world and family has been turned upside down.

"I'm very lucky to be alive and very grateful to the air ambulance, Wiltshire Police which was a great help with advice and all the civilians who kept me alive until the air ambulance arrived."

Meadows, a woman with no previous convictions, admitted her guilt at the scene of the crash.

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Hannah Thomas, mitigating, said Meadows was a "significantly more mobile" lady who went to church in 2023 and she was driving home from visiting her daughter at a singing group when she crashed into Mr McLoughlin.

Ms Thomas said Meadows had shown "significant remorse" for her actions, adding: "The driving was careless and not dangerous. She was on the correct side of the road but approached too fast. It was simply too fast for that bend on that road on that day.

"She wishes the victim to know how sorry she is. She's a religious lady and she prays for him and his family every day of her life. She could not be more sorry."

Meadows approached the corner too fast. (Image: Google Maps)

The court heard how Meadows had been driving for more than 50 years and took an enhanced driving qualification when she retired.

However, she no longer wishes to drive and relies on a wheelchair after suffering a fall last year.

"Sending this lady to prison would not serve justice," argued Ms Thomas.

"She is not a danger to society, she has given up driving, she prays for the victim every day and is extremely remorseful of her actions."

Meadows, who pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 24 months and disqualified from driving for 12 months. If she wishes to drive again, she must pass another enhanced driving test.

Mrs Burton, chair of the bench, said: "We're making this order because the offence is so serious that custody is the only suitable sentence.

"This was life-changing for both of you and I hope we never see you in court again."

Meadows must also pay £85 court costs and a £154 surcharge to fund victim services.