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Daughter's heartache over mum's car death
THE daughter of a Sheffield woman killed in a road smash by her husband has spoken of her grief about the tragedy.
Tarah Mason's mum Mandy Stephenson, aged 43, died instantly when her husband Christopher Stephenson's Citroen CX was in collision with a motorbike on a trip to Lincolnshire in August 2008 to collect a puppy for her best friend's daughter.
Today Tarah, 25, said the last year had been a nightmare for her family.
Speaking after her stepfather admitted causing his wife's death by careless driving at Grimsby Crown Court Tarah, from York, said: "A lot has been said about Chris but at the end of the day he's lost his wife and I've lost my mum.
"It was an accident. It has been a nightmare for us. Chris loved my mum and they were very happily married for 16 years. He was a stepdad to me and my brother Corey.
"I can't describe how devastated he was when I first saw him afterwards. He had tried to resucitate her, even though she was already gone, and then he had to identify her body. Then nine months later he was charged.
"He has pleaded guilty because he's sorry for what's happened and he's got to live with it for the rest of his life.
"He just wants to put it all behind him."
Graphic designer Christopher and Mandy, of Holgate Road, Parson Cross, were in the car with Mandy's friend Anita Abbott and her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Jasmine. Anita was left paralysed by the smash.
The friends were on their way to pick up a puppy for Jasmine from a farm on the A161 near Crowle.
Tarah said: "Anita had just separated from her partner and she wanted to get a dog to cheer Jasmine up.
"My mum was her best friend and she would do anything for anyone. That's what she was like - if one of her friends was going through a crisis she would do what she could to help."
Tarah said Christopher told her he was in the middle of the road indicating right to turn into the farm when the motorcyclist appeared, travelling in the opposite direction.
She said: "Anita shouted out and Chris slammed the brakes on. The biker went into the side of the car."
The biker - Anthony Williamson, 49, of Bottesford, Lincolnshire - suffered life-threatening injuries. He was given just a 20 per cent chance of survival after suffering a smashed pelvis, a dissected aorta, a fractured skull, broken arms, fractured vertebra and broken ribs. He spent five weeks in hospital and is now back on his feet and continuing his recovery.
Anita broke her lower back and has been left in a wheelchair, while Jasmine suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull, but has made a full recovery.
Tarah said: "I went to see Anita but she was more worried about me. She doesn't blame Chris for what happened and we are all still friends. Jasmine is great, she's absolutely gorgeous."
Remembering her mum Tarah said: "She was very loud and sociable and had a lot of friends. Her funeral was packed full of people.
"I will never forget the police officer coming to my door.
She looked as if she was going to burst into tears."
Christopher Stephenson will be sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court next month for causing death by careless driving.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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