A woman who was taking 17 different prescription medications when she killed a grandmother in a crash has been jailed for dangerous driving.
Samantha Curtis crossed into the opposite carriageway and collided head-on with a car in which Yvonne Bruce was a passenger.
The 83-year-old died at the scene while her grandson Daniel, who was driving, suffered serious injuries – including two fractures to his leg which required an operation to fit a metal rod to fix it, a fractured ankle, a deep laceration to his hip, as well as numerous cuts and bruises.
After Curtis was jailed, police said the case should serve as a ‘lesson to anyone taking prescription medication’ and that whilst not illegal, prescription drugs can cause inattention and drowsiness.
The 59-year-old was driving a blue Ford EcoSport in Talavera Way, Northampton, when she crossed into the opposing carriageway and collided head-on with the red Vauxhall Agila on the afternoon of December 13, 2024.
She was arrested at the scene and in January pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
She was jailed for three years and nine months at Northampton Crown Court on Monday.
She was also disqualified from driving for eight years and 10 months and will need to take an extended re-test.
Police said Samantha Curtis, 59, was taking 17 prescription medications and had various physical and mental ailments at the time of the crash
Yvonne Bruce, 86, pictured right, died at the scene of the crash in Northampton in 2024
The court heard Ms Bruce, known affectionately as Nanny Tiggy, had recently moved to Northampton from Essex to be closer to her family.
In his victim personal statement, Daniel said: ‘Moving up here had given her a new lease of life and we were all really enjoying seeing her more and spending quality time with her.
‘I would see her at least once a week; helping her out at home and taking her to the shops. It was so nice having her around.’
On the day of the crash, Daniel had been driving her to Aldi for her food shop.
Yvonne’s daughter Suzanne said: ‘She was such a clever, hardworking woman with a strong mind.
‘She could be strict at times, but she had a heart of gold. She was incredibly generous, sarcastic, and always ready with a sharp, witty comment.
‘Yet to her grandchildren she was a complete softy – she loved watching them grow and was always there whenever they needed her.
‘Whenever funerals came up, she refused to talk about them, saying she wasn’t ready to die – ‘I’m not going anywhere,’ she would say.’
Lead Investigator – Detective Constable Eleanor Hudson from Northamptonshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: ‘Samantha Curtis’s dangerous driving has caused untold distress to this family who have had to bury their mother, grandmother and great grandmother as a result of it.
‘Daniel also suffers with the injuries caused by this collision over a year later which continue to affect his daily life.
‘At the time of the collision, she was taking 17 prescription medications and had various physical and mental ailments so I hope this case serves as a lesson to anyone taking prescription medication – whilst not illegal, prescription drugs can cause inattention and drowsiness, and driving under the influence of them should be treated with great caution.
‘This incident demonstrates in tragic detail the consequences of dangerous driving – one minute you are living your life as normal and seconds later you have destroyed a family and are now looking at a custodial sentence.
‘Let this case be a lesson to everyone who gets behind the wheel – driving is a privilege and in the wrong hands, a car can kill.
‘Finally, I would like to thank Yvonne’s family for their support during our investigation, particularly Daniel who continues to recover from his injuries.
‘My thoughts are with them and I hope the conclusion of this case allows them to start to grieve properly for their beloved Nanny Tiggy.’
