A budding primary school teacher has put her career dreams on hold for two years after her lane-change resulted in the tragic death of a dad-of-two motorcyclist.
Thomas Ruffy
Isabelle Jane Mullarkey, 23, did not see 29 year-old Thomas Ruffy overtaking a line of slow cars at up to 54 mph when she suddenly pulled out in front of him.
He was catapulted into a pedestrian traffic island, suffering catastrophic head injuries and died the next day with his family at his hospital bedside.
On Wednesday, Mullarkey, of Handen Road, Lee, south-east London was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to complete 200 hours community service.
She pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on November 11, 2019 in Eltham Road, Blackheath.
Mr Ruffy was described as a “joker” and “cheeky chap” by his mother Esther Clark, 53, who attended the sentencing and heard Mullarkey was guilty of “momentary inattention”.
Prosecutor Mr Subhanur Chowdhury told the court Mullarkey and Mr Ruffy were travelling in the same direction at 11.27am when she pulled her white Skoda Fabia in front of him.
“He is separated from his motorcycle and strikes the pedestrian refuge and as a result receives fatal head injuries, brain stem and traumatic head injuries.”
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| Isabelle Mullarkey |
“The most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life was tell him: ‘Okay Tom. You can go now’.”
Mullarkey’s lawyer Sarah O’Kane told the court: “This is a very sad case for all concerned. Ms Mullarkey has asked me to extend her sympathy and remorse to the parents of Mr Ruffy and his wider family and friends.”
An expert estimated Mr Ruffy’s speed at 44mph-54mph, but concluded even if he was observing the 30mph speed limit a collision was inevitable and Mullarkey should have seen him in her wing mirror approaching from behind.
“The news he had died was difficult for her to deal with at her young age and it is something that will stay with her for the rest of her life,” added the lawyer.
“It had a devastating impact. She can’t see a future for herself and has extreme remorse, guilt and sadness.
“The planned a career as a primary school teacher and had just started university before this incident, but has deferred for the last two years.”
Magistrate Heather East announced: “This is a very sad case. We have heard two young adults were travelling along the same road and collided.
“Perhaps if Mr Ruffy was travelling slower his injuries would not have been fatal. We will never know.
“Ms Mullarkey now has to carry that heavy burden that the actions of her driving took another life.”
Mullarkey must also attend twenty days of rehabilitation and pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.
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