A 69-year-old driver convicted of causing death by careless driving will be released from prison after successfully appealing her sentence. Fiona Hodge had been jailed for one year after striking 53-year-old Donna Crossman, who was walking to a Take That concert in June 2024.
Ms Hodge's one-year prison term has now been suspended for two years. Her driving ban was also reduced by six months, to two years, after which she must take an extended driving test. She is still required to pay more than £3,000 in legal fees.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court found Ms Hodge guilty in April. During the trial, Ms Hodge, from St Werburghs in Bristol, said she had no recollection of the crash on Brunel Way. She has since been diagnosed with epilepsy.
The appeal hearing was told that Ms Hodge's barrister described the incident as "tragic". Ms Crossman, from Bridgend in Wales, had served in the RAF for 19 years and later worked for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.