The human aftermath of ‘careless driving’

The motorist who caused the crash that paralysed Sam Puttick, setting in motion a chain of events that ended in the boy’s parents committing suicide at Beachy Head, was later convicted of careless driving.

Nine months after the accident in 2005, magistrates fined Josephine Elias £660 with £75 costs and endorsed her driving licence with seven points.

Although the offence was considered minor, it was to have huge ramifications.