A van driver in a 12-minute police pursuit through Birmingham struck and killed a 62-year-old woman at Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone
Van Driver Causes Fatal Collision During Police Pursuit
A van driver in a police pursuit hit a mother-of-three who was searching for her golf ball. The driver then stepped over her body as he fled, a court has heard.
John McDonald, 52, damaged vehicles and drove on the wrong side of the road. He mounted pavements and rammed a police car following him at least eight times during a 12-minute pursuit through Birmingham. He reached speeds of up to 70 mph.
On 11 April last year, McDonald entered Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone, Staffordshire. Suzanne Cherry, 62, and her husband Clint Harrison were playing golf there.
Ms. Cherry was struck by McDonald as she searched for her ball near a stream on the course, according to Worcester Crown Court. She suffered multiple catastrophic injuries and died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham four days later.
McDonald, of Bloxwich, admitted causing Ms. Cherry’s death by dangerous driving on the day his trial was set to start on Monday.
He and his co-defendants, Johnny McDonald, 23, of Dudley, and Brett Delaney, 35, of Darlaston, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit fraud. They made false claims that roofing work was needed when it was not, between 17 February and 12 April last year.
All three had previously denied charges of manslaughter.
After Ms. Cherry’s death, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an investigation. This investigation looked into the events leading up to the fatal collision and the involvement of West Midlands Police officers.
The IOPC stated that two patrol cars began following a van in Kingstanding, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity. Police stopped following the van when it left the road and went up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms. Cherry, who was from Aldridge.
Ms. Cherry’s husband expressed that she would be “painfully missed” by her family and friends shortly after her death. He stated that he had “watched in helpless horror” as Ms. Cherry was struck.
“While enjoying what should have been the safest of one of Suzanne’s many activities, I watched in helpless horror as the life of my beautiful wife and our future together was snatched away in an instant,” he said.
“Suzanne had an amazing and infectious zest for life which touched everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. She was unselfish, always ready to encourage with love and support those around her to achieve more than they themselves thought possible.”
“Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children, and countless others from her work, her sporting activities, and social circle. Sue was loved and will be painfully missed by her entire family and friends.”
The sentencing hearing is expected to continue on Tuesday.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Driver | John McDonald, 52 |
| Victim | Suzanne Cherry, 62 |
| Incident Date | 11 April last year |
| Pursuit Duration | 12 minutes |
| Speed | Up to 70 mph |
| Location | Aston Wood Golf Club, Shenstone |
| Injuries | Multiple catastrophic injuries |
| Death Location | Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham |
| Co-defendants | Johnny McDonald, 23; Brett Delaney, 35 |
