Jane Hunter-Priestley, 63, of Chaddesden, leaving Derby Crown Court today (Thursday, November 14)(Image: Reach Plc)

Derby woman admits killing elderly couple in Chaddesden horror crash

by · Derbyshire Live

A 63-year-old Derby woman has admitted to causing the deaths of a couple in their 80s in a collision in Chaddesden. Jane Hunter-Priestley pleaded guilty to two counts of causing the deaths of William and Christine Line through dangerous driving when she appeared at Derby Crown Court today (Thursday, November 14).

Dressed in a black jacket, black trousers and purple top, she was brought into courtroom one at Derby Crown Court holding the hand of a supporter and sobbing uncontrollably and continued crying before entering her guilty pleas.

Adjourning the sentencing until Monday, November 18, Recorder Adrian Reynolds said: “You will need to come back to this court on Monday when the judge will sentence you. You can have bail over the weekend but do not take that as any indication of the outcome. Be under no illusions of the gravity of your situation.”

Hunter-Priestley, of Highfield Lane, Chaddesden, was charged following the deaths of Mr and Mrs Line, of Vere Close, Willington. Officers were called to reports of a collision between a Ford Mondeo and a Jaguar XF just after 2pm on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Chaddesden.

Mr Line was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but did not survive, while the passenger, his wife, was pronounced dead at the scene. Hunter-Priestley was the driver of the Mondeo.

Stefan Fox, prosecuting, said a victim impact statement made by their only child - son David - was made in January, and he would ask the police to contact him and see if he wants to provide an updated one ahead of next week’s sentence.

Floral tributes have been left following the deaths of two elderly people in a Chaddesden crash(Image: SUBMITTED)

At the time of the collision, an air ambulance landed on nearby Chaddesden Park and one eye-witness at the time reported seeing staff from shops evacuated and the area taped off as well as the main road being closed for several hours close to the petrol station.

The incident occurred close to the junction of Highfield Lane and Nottingham Road and the defendant was also taken to hospital having suffered serious injuries.