Distracted driver mowed down mum walking dog as he sent messages about his dinner

Daily Mirror

06-05-2025

Thomas Worthington, 40, has been jailed for two years after hitting Emma Pryor as she crossed the road in Worcester, causing several fractures and a brain bleed that made her forget the last 5 years
A driver who was distracted by messages talking about what to have for dinner crashed into a mother crossing the road with her dog, leaving her with horrific injuries.
Thomas Worthington, 40, was discussing having pasta bake when he ploughed into Emma Pryor, who was on a zebra crossing in Warndon, Worcester. The 40-year-old was sent flying 10ft in the air and suffered several fractures and a bleed on the brain. Worthington stopped his Nissan Figaro and called 999, before paramedics rushed Miss Pryor to hospital where she spent three months recovering. Police found a series of incoming WhatsApp messages, the last of which was read at 5.11pm - three seconds before the horror collision in February last year.
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Worthington, of Worcester, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for two years. He was also banned from driving for five years.
Prosecutor Lizzie Banahan said: "The defendant informed the officers at the time Miss Pryor had come 'out of nowhere'. The defendant was using his mobile phone at the time of the collision. Miss Pryor suffered life threatening injuries and was taken to the QE hospital.
"While in hospital she was unable to remember the last five years of her life. When her son came to visit her in hospital, she was really shocked that he was not four."
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Miss Pryor described how the crash had ruined her life as she went from being the carer of her nine-year-old son, enjoying dog walking, running and having fun with family and friends to being unable to go out alone.
The court heard she suffers with PTSD, slurred speech and had completely lost her independence. The court heard Miss Pryor suffered memory loss as a result of the crash which Worthington tried to blame on her.
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Belinda Ariss, defending, said: "There's nothing I can say to make this case easier or better for anyone. He dialled 999, he had not been drinking and this is not a man who takes drugs.
"Mr Worthington has his eyes tested every two years and doesn't wear glasses in daily life, only for driving. He's not wearing glasses today."
Sentencing Worthington at Worcester Crown Court, Judge James Burbidge KC said: "The conversation was about supper that night. You were concerned about what you were having for dinner when you got home.
"You were going to have a pasta bake for your meal that night. You were wholly inattentive to the driving which should have been the forefront of your mind. It seems that if you are using a mobile phone on and off, that's a deliberate decision not to follow the rules."
Detective Constable Paul Pickering, of West Mercia Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "I am pleased with the sentence given to Worthington and I hope this is a clear message to all road users the upmost care and consideration should be used whilst on our roads."