A husband has described the horrific moment he told his sons their mother had died after being killed by a careless driver in a head-on crash. The victim suffered a "devastating" brain injury and abdominal injuries which led to her death six days later in hospital.
Renata Sumiga, 37, was killed during a collision on March 16 last year on the A483 between Llanbister and Camnant in Powys. Her husband Radoslaw Sznajder and two young children were also in the Volkswagen Passat, which was hit by a Toyota Yaris driven by student Mia Price. The 21-year-old had bought a new car and was driving in convoy with her father southbound towards Llandrindod Wells when she veered into the northbound carriageway a second before colliding head-on with the car containing Ms Sumiga.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday heard the crash occurred at around 7.26pm but no reason could be discovered for the defendant crossing into the opposite lane. Price has no recollection of what happened and could not give a reason for her loss of attention.
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As a result of the collision Ms Sumiga was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital to receive treatment for what prosecutor Talia Keskin described as a "devastating" brain injury and abdominal injuries which were classed as "immediately life-threatening". She died from her injuries on March 22.
Mr Sznajder sustained a fracture to his sternum while his youngest son suffered pain to his chest and waist and his oldest son suffered a fracture to his left collarbone and pain to his chest and waist. In a victim personal statement read out to the court Mr Sznajder spoke about the devastating effect his wife's death has had upon him and his children.
He said: "When I knew it was over I didn't know how to tell them. I was in the world of The Matrix myself and in a dream. I thought when I woke up it would all be over and back to normal. Once I told the boys [the youngest] didn't understand but [the oldest], I never wish any parent to hear a child cry like that. Even my mother was scared. It was impossible to calm him down."
Mr Sznajder said he tried to keep the boys busy and he was assisted by friends and family but his mother and sister had to return to Poland after a number of days. He added: "I feel anxious all the time. Every car I consider a threat and I have problems falling asleep. Since the accident I can't concentrate. I often think about the accident... I found myself afraid of my own health and think what will happen to my children if something happens to me."
He said he continues to suffer pain in his back as a result of the crash and has scars over his body. Mr Sznajder said his psoriasis has intensified due to the stress he has felt.
Describing his wife Mr Sznajder said: "Life is not the same without Renata. She was the glue that connected our family. She was our boss, drove us to action, made the children smile, and made us go out to play. She was always with the children. Without Renata life gives us less pleasure. We miss her very much. Our lives have collapsed like a house of cards."
Following the crash Price suffered a broken femur, ankle, and jaw which required surgery as well as an injury to her elbow. The defendant was interviewed by police and said she could not remember the collision. Her phone was checked and there was no evidence of activity or usage with the phone connected to the car via Bluetooth for music. There was also no evidence of alcohol or drug use.
Price, of Eastlands Park, Bishopton, Swansea, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless and inconsiderate driving. The court heard she was of previous good character.
In mitigation Stuart John said his client had shown "genuine contrition and remorse" which she had expressed from her first interview with police. He said: "Two families' lives have been ruined by this tragic collision and will be something this defendant will have to live with for the rest of her life." The barrister said Price was a student at Cardiff University and her studies had been affected by the collision.
Addressing Price, who was in tears in the dock, the Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil Judge Richard Twomlow said: "The victim was a 37-year-old mother to those two boys. Her death has had a devastating affect on her family. Nothing I can say or any sentence I could pass could possibly alleviate the grief felt by her family as a result of her death." He described the collision as a result of "momentary inattention".
Price was sentenced to a 12-month community order. She was ordered to carry out a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was disqualified from driving for two years.
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