Susan Whittles’ widow bravely faced her dangerous driver killer in court
The widow of a much-loved grandmother bravely faced the dangerous driver who killed his wife in court.
Susan Whittles was driving home from a Christmas shopping trip with her husband William Whittles in her Volkswagen T-Roc when an Audi A6 smashed into the side of the car. Driver of the Audi Timothy Kusemi was travelling at 50mph at the time, a court heard.
Mrs Whittle’s car rolled onto its side ‘as a result of the forceful impact’ and she sadly died of her injuries. The 70-year-old was described as a much-loved grandmother and local preacher.
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Mr Whittles described in court how his wife was a ‘huge influence’ in the local community of their hometown of Bridlington. He told how he still has flashbacks to the crash that took his wife’s life as he faced Kusemi, 41, in court.
Hull Crown Court heard how Kusemi was on his way to work at a care home when he shot across a give-way crossroads in his Audi. The crash happened on November 24 2023 at 3pm on the B1253 Thwing Road, near Rudston, between Driffield and Bridlington, Hull Live reports.
Kusemi was northbound heading to work at Willows care home, Burton Fleming where he was due to start work at 3pm. It was a journey he had taken three times previously.
But that afternoon he failed to stop his Audi A6 and went across at 50mph. His car collided with a Volkswagen T-Roc, driven by Mrs Whittles. She and her husband were returning from a Christmas shopping trip to York.
Prosecuting, Jeremy Evans said Kusemi, a Nigerian national, was entitled to drive in the UK for 12 months after his arrival on a work-sponsorship scheme in 2022. The prosecutor said law permits drivers with a licence from their home country to drive in the UK for 12 months but they must pass a test to allow them to drive beyond that time limit.
Kusemi had passed his theory test but had twice failed the practical test. Mr Evans said: “The evidence is compelling. The tragic consequences resulted in him driving straight into the offside of the Volkswagen T-Roc driven by Sue Whittles.
“Mrs Whittles tragically lost her life, in all-likelihood, almost immediately as a result of the forceful impact that caused her vehicle to roll over and come to rest on its side on the grass verge.” In his victim personal statement, husband William Whittles, told how he was trapped in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, from which he was later cut free by firefighters.
He was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary where he received emergency medical treatment for serious injuries. Mr Whittles told the court his last words he can recall were “He’s not going to stop.” He said the car rolled several times and ended up in the door well with his wife strapped above him.
“I was able to hold her hand and beg her to stay with me. As medics fought to save her life, then there were the doctor’s awful words ‘We have lost your wife’.
“I still have flashbacks to the horror Sue must have felt as he hit us. I was badly injured due to the collision. I suffered a fractured ankle, fractured wrist, numerous broken ribs and compressed vertebrae,” said Mr Whittles. He spent four weeks in hospital and six weeks in a rehabilitation ward.
He added: “My broken bones have healed but my broken heart may never heal.” The widower said: “Sue was such a huge influence in the Bridlington community where we lived. She was a local preacher which she had been for 52 years and Girl Guide leader for a similar amount of time and over 30 years involvement with the Riding for Disabled charity.”
He said he struggled without his wife “by his side.” “The first Christmas without Sue was one of the hardest parts. A time usually filled with so much joy, taken from me because of your actions Timothy,” he said.
The husband said he had to pay £4,500 cost for a stairlift for his two-storey home because of his immobility. The crash injuries had also affected his balance severely and he is unable to stand for more than short periods of time and he suffers from panic attacks.
Mr Whittles said: “Timothy, your actions that day tore the centre of my universe from me.” He said their grandchildren miss their Nan.
Judge John Thackray KC commended him for his bravery reading the statement in court. His sons told of their devastation at hearing the news of the death of their stepmother and the impact it had had on their families.
Simon Whittles said: “Anniversaries are to be a poignant reminder of the events of that November night, Christmas, birthdays and November 24 itself . It has been very hard for us all losing such a loved, kind, generous and respected member of the family and has left scars which will never heal.”
Mr Evans said the reason for driving across the junction was inexplicable. Mitigating, Jessica Strange said her client was remorseful and always accepted he was at fault.
She said he was not racing or on his mobile phone or showing off as he was the only occupant of the car. “This is a hard-working young man with two children, highly-regarded by many.” She added: “He will punish himself for the rest of his life for the irreversible tragedy.”
Kusemi admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury. He also admitted not having a proper licence. Judge John Thackray KC jailed him for a total of six years and banned him from driving for 11 years.
After the hearing Sergeant Rob Mazingham from the Serious Collision Unit of Humberside Police said: “When speaking to key witnesses from the scene, Kusemi’s driving prior to the incident was described as swerving all over the road, showing a lack of care when driving his vehicle.
“During the investigation it was established that Kusemi held a driving licence that was no longer valid for him to drive legally in the United Kingdom, and he was not fully qualified to drive here at the time of the collision. This was a tragic and entirely avoidable incident which resulted in one person losing their life and another being seriously injured.
“By driving dangerously and taking no consideration to any road signs ahead, this will now leave a devastating impact on the lives of the family involved”.
