Stuffed toys hanging from a rear-view mirror obstructed a driver's view shortly before she fatally struck 81-year-old John Nottingham, police have stated. Rosemarie Oszko, 65, hit Mr Nottingham with her vehicle on 1 March 2024, near the junction of Waterton Road and Dewsbury Road in Wakefield.
West Yorkshire Police said the two toys had a "significant effect" on visibility from the driving seat, adding that the defendant "would have had a clearer view of Mr Nottingham" without them. Mr Nottingham died the day after the incident from his injuries.
Ms Oszko, of Thornbury Road in Wakefield, pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by careless driving. She was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, at Leeds Crown Court and was also banned from driving for two years.
Officers reported that Ms Oszko turned left onto Dewsbury Road as traffic lights changed from amber to red, striking Mr Nottingham as he was crossing the road. Detective Sergeant Steve Suggitt commented that items like mobile phones and sat-navs should not interfere with a driver's ability to see the road.