Driver who crashed into partially-sighted man in Lowestoft is sued for £150,000 by widow

Samantha Pitcher has been sentenced for causing death by careless driving (Image: Archant)

David Wright, 74, was crossing the road after a family meal at the Foxburrow Beefeater pub in Lowestoft when he was hit and killed on February 18, 2013.

He was struck by a Renault Megane driven by Samantha Pitcher, who was found guilty of causing death by careless driving after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court on March 5, 2014.

Police told the court that Pitcher had sent and received text messages on her mobile phone shortly before the collision, and it was possible that she may have been distracted.

Pitcher, who at the time of the court case was 28-years-old and lived in Maidstone Road, Lowestoft, was spared jail, and was instead handed an 18 month community order, 240 hours unpaid work and a two year driving ban.

Now Mr Wright's widow Pauline, who lives in Pockthorpe Road, Great Melton, near Norwich, is suing Pitcher for damages of more than £150,000, but limited to a maximum of £200,000.

Papers filed with the High Court state that the claim is for 'personal injury, losses and associated losses arising from a road traffic accident'.

They state Pitcher's current address as The Street, Blundeston.

The particulars added that Mr Wright was with his son Howard and his two children aged six and seven when he was knocked down.

Mr Wright was registered blind, had his white reflective stick in his hand, and was being guided across Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft by his wife. The claim sets out that Mrs Wright had been financially dependent on her husband, and she was also seeking to recover the costs of her husband's funeral.

Mrs Wright did not respond to requests for comment.

A date for the hearing has yet to be fixed.