A 39-year-old driver has been jailed for six years for overtaking a vehicle into the path of an oncoming Kia Rio car killing the seven-year-old passenger.
Veselin Dudenski, of Cherry Avenue, Branston, was driving a Citroen Relay van along the B1202 Metheringham Heath Lane, near Metheringham on Friday 3 January 2025 at about 5.45pm when the collision took place.
Dudenski was travelling from Metheringham towards Boothby Grafoe when he commenced his ill advised overtake, having failed to notice the sign warning of a hidden dip ahead. The road in the area of the collision is undulating and subject to the national speed limit, making overtaking a dangerous manoeuvre unless there is a clear view of the road ahead. He had successfully overtaken a Ford Ranger, before he started to overtake a second vehicle.
As Dudenski approached the crest of the road on the wrong side he met the Kia Rio travelling in the opposite direction colliding head on with it. He seriously injured the driver of the Kia. Elsie Gascoigne, who was sat in the rear of the Kia also received serious injuries and sadly later died in hospital the next morning.
Dudenski was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced after previously pleading guilty following a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court today.
The case follows an investigation carried out by our Serious and Forensic Collision Investigation Units, which established that there were no defects with either of the two vehicles. The second car that Dudenski was in the process of overtaking wasn’t involved and did not stop at the scene, nor was it subsequently identified.
The investigation, during a reconstruction, established that the headlights of the Kia would initially have been visible in the distance prior to the collision location, but would have disappeared as it entered the hidden dip, before becoming visible a mere two seconds before the collision occurred. Both drivers made efforts to avoid colliding, but there was insufficient time to prevent the collision occurring.
In interview, Dudenski explained that he had been out delivering parcels and was familiar with the road. However, whilst he was aware of the hidden dips he believed that they were located at a different place to where the collision occurred.
Today Dudenski was sentenced to six years in prison having pleaded guilty to the two offences. He was also banned from driving for eight years and must take an extended re-test before driving again.
Detective Sergeant Kate Johnston said: “This has been a distressing investigation, involving the tragic loss of a young child. No outcome can ever reflect the terrible pain that is felt by Elsie’s family and friends following her death.
“Dudenski’s decision to carry out an overtaking manoeuvre on a dark undulating road has ended with the worst of all outcomes. Drivers should always be patient when using the roads and avoid undertaking risky manoeuvres, especially when the road ahead cannot be clearly seen. The warning signs that existed are there to prevent such incidents occurring but only work if we all heed them as we use our roads.”
In agreement with the family, a tribute to Elsie along with a picture will be released in a separate article.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.