Survivor says mum 'never stood a chance' hit by 118mph driver in 30mph zone

15 November 2023 , 08:26

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Trent Simm was driving at 118mph in a 30 zone when he hit a family's car, killing Doris Bridgehouse and injuring her daughter and grandson (Image: MEN/Facebook)

A speeding driver going at 118mph who caused a horror crash which killed a much-loved grandmother was told in court how his victims "didn't stand a chance".

Trent Simm was driving at the unthinkable speed in a 30 zone when he hit Amanda Holmes' car, killing her mother Doris Bridgehouse, 82, and seriously injuring her and his own passenger, Aaron Scott. The family had been driving home after celebrating son Max's graduation from the University of Salford when Simm hit their car on a road in Littleborough, near Rochdale.

Max who was in the rear seat at the time, was miraculously not seriously hurt. Dad-of-one Simm, 25, sat with his head bowed in court on Tuesday as powerful victim impact statements were read out, detailing how his dangerous driving means the family's lives would never be the same.

Ms Holmes, 55, told Simm he was "liable to kill someone - and you did" when he hit her family's car on May 13 this year. She was knocked unconscious in the smash and needed months of hospital treatment. Thankfully son Max, then aged 21, was able to crawl out of the car moments after the collision while injured.

Doris Bridgehouse was described as a 'fabulous woman and grandmother (Greater Manchester Police)

Addressing the danger driver in the dock, Ms Holmes said: ""My mum's life was tragically taken away from her family by you, Trent Simm." Doris, known affectionately as 'Dot', was described as "a fabulous person". "She was a nurse cadet from school and trained as a nurse, and loved her vocation," Ms Holmes said. "I have been robbed of my goodbye."

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She added that the brain injuries she suffered in the crash had left her permanently changed, Manchester Evening News reports, affecting her job as a nurse. "I feel I am half the mum, family member, and colleague that I was," she said. "I have gone back to work on reduced pay so my take home pay is half. I feel like a failure."

"Trent Simm, this is all your fault," she continued. "I am not the person I was and nor am I as capable or as autonomous. Someone driving at 100mph in a 30mph is actually beyond belief."

Simm had been driving at 118mph (Greater Manchester Police)

"The speeds at which you were driving were unbelievably disgusting. We took the whole impact and never stood a chance. What made you think you could travel at them and not kill?"

"You are going to have to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life. I do not feel sorry for you at all. Driving at those speeds you could be liable to kill someone - and you did." Son Max meanwhile told him: "I hope you never drive again and if you do you see the image of me and my mum. You deserve everything that's coming to you."

Simm was jailed for seven years and four months at Manchester Minshull Street crown court on Tuesday, as it was heard he had joust gotten a new car before driving at perilous speeds. A judge told him it was highly likely "you were showing off or thrill-seeking in the company of your friend".

He was jailed for over seven years, of which he will serve half behind bars (Greater Manchester Police)

Neelum Gomersall, for Simm, said he felt "genuine remorse" for the crash, saying he had also been to the scene to leave flowers. She said he had claimed, "If there was any way I could change things, I would."

Simm, from Rochdale, was given two years for each offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Amanda Holmes and Aaron Scott, which will be served concurrently with his sentenced for causing Doris' death. He was ordered to pay the victim surcharge, and has been banned from driving for five years, with a 44-month uplift.

Ethan Davies