Man crashed into ‘precious mam’ as she crossed A690 in Valentine’s Day hit-and-run

A man has been jailed for more than a decade after a fatal hit-and-run on Valentine's Day.

Reece Roberts was driving a Volvo XC90 when he struck Diane Jones as she crossed the A690 Durham Road in Sunderland at about 11pm.

The 27-year-old had no licence or insurance and drove off, leaving Diane fatally injured in the road.

Members of the public came to 59-year-old's aid until emergency services attended, for which her family said they will remain eternally grateful. Advertisement Advertisement

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Diane was sadly pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Diane Jones (Image: Northumbria Police)

He handed himself in the next day after seeing a police appeal online, turning up at a police station with a bag of belongings.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was charged and admitted the charge plus driving while disqualified and without insurance when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.

On Wednesday (May 13), Roberts, of Tudor Grove, Sunderland, appeared at the same court, and was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison, plus a five-year extended licence.

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Reece Roberts (Image: Northumbria Police)

In the days following her death, tributes flooded in for Diane, from Thorney Close, and a GoFundMe page was started[1] to help pay for her send-off.

Inspector Steven Clare, of Northumbria Police's Serious Collision Unit, said: "It is hard to imagine the pain Diane's family has endured as they have tried to come to terms with what happened on February 14.

"They have shown incredible strength throughout and have remained focused on our efforts to bring Diane's killer to justice.

Floral tributes at the scene. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)