A woman has spoken movingly about how her life was ripped apart by a fatal road crash which left her with life-changing injuries.<\/p>\n
According to former care worker Caroline Franks, 60, from Glyn Ceiriog, she was struggling to come to terms with what happened until she received support from Brake, a road safety charity that receives funding from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.<\/p>\n
The head on collision happened in September 2018 when she was returning from enjoying a family\u00a0 with her son, her former partner and his mother.<\/p>\n
A white van came around a corner on the wrong side of the road and into the path of their car which was being driven by her partner.<\/p>\n
She said \u201cWe had been for a family meal and were driving home through Chirk at around 8.30pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in the passenger seat, my son, Ollie, who was in university at the time, was sat behind the driver\u2019s seat alongside my former partner\u2019s mum who was directly behind me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were near the garden centre in Chirk when I saw a white van. He was going too fast and although it was only a split second it seemed to go in slow motion. I knew he was going to hit us. My then partner had no chance of avoiding him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact left me with life-changing injuries, my partner\u2019s mum was flown to Stoke with massive injuries from which she died of two weeks later.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy son had abdominal bruising but escaped serious injury while my partner escaped relatively unhurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cFollowing the crash I had internal abdominal bleeding and had a lump the size of a rugby ball in my abdomen. I was operated on at Wrexham. The worst injury as it turns out was to my left foot which was totally smashed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can now walk but have a permanent limp and was due to go back to Wrexham to discuss with the consultant whether I should have a further operation to fuse my ankle into a set position but the pandemic means that\u2019s on hold..<\/p>\n
\u201cThat might help with the constant pain and my inability to stand for long periods. My foot is already held together by screws and pins and I\u2019m not really sure whether I can face another operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOllie has recovered physically but mentally it\u2019s more difficult. He is still very nervous about getting in a car and will avoid doing so if he can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caroline says after the crash she was left in a wheelchair and split with her partner but was then left not knowing what was happening over the crash.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI was hearing nothing and was diagnosed by my GP as suffering from depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). My GP arranged for me to have counselling but it\u2019s after I contacted Brake and I got most help over the crash.<\/p>\n
\u201cI called them and they got the police to talk to me. The police were speaking to my former partner as he was the driver but he wasn\u2019t telling me what was going on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed to know what was happening to the driver, who I knew had been charged with drink driving, causing the death of my then partner\u2019s mother and causing serious injury to me. Brake kept in touch and helped me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe offending driver was eventually sentenced to six years imprisonment which I thought was fair. But then it turns out he got four years for causing death and two years for causing my serious injury but that was to run concurrently. So in truth, he will be out after serving about half of the four years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pointless being angry though, you just have to let it go. I\u2019m now unable to do the carer work I was doing as I can\u2019t stand for long periods and I\u2019m working for a friend just doing 10 hours a week clerical work for her business.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been a cautious driver but even more so now. I hate driving and being in a car but living in a rural area I\u2019ve little choice. It was an awful experience and I\u2019m still suffering physically now but things are easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd a lot of that is down to the help and support I received from Brake. I can\u2019t praise them enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, a former police inspector, said: \u201cI\u2019m pleased to be able to support Brake in their work with the victims of fatal and serious injury crashes here in North Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe charity is able to step in and support people at a time when they need help and advice. I know from my own police service the devastating impact a serious road traffic collision can have on families and individuals.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything that can be done to help these victims get the information and help they need should be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the charity is putting the funding my office supplies to good use in helping all those affected by serious injury and fatal road crashes across North Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cOf course I\u2019m bound to say that we could all help to reduce the number of times that the services of Brake are required by thinking about the way we use the road and driving motor vehicles in a responsible manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can reduce speeding, drink and drug driving then we can all play a role in saving lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a message echoed by Brake\u2019s Partnership Development Manager, Jennifer MacDuff, who thanked Mr Jones for the funding he provided.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIn the past 12 months Brake\u2019s helpline here in North Wales led to three families left devastated after losing loved ones in fatal crashes getting the support they needed .<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition we supported seven other people involved in serious injury crashes, sent out 50 of our bereavement packs and 10 children\u2019s information books.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing every fatal or serious injury crash police officer s leave a copy of Brake\u2019s bereavement pack with the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Information and Advice for Bereaved Families and Friends Following Death on the Road pack is updated regularly in consultation with experts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt contains information on what happens after a crash, practical issues, how investigations are carried out and information on criminal charges, court cases, claiming compensation and useful organisations.<\/p>\n
\u201cA bereaved family member can then call the Brake helpline. Referrals also come in from professionals such as police family liaison officers, medical professionals, schools and other voluntary and charitable organisations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Brake helpline is a quality accredited free phone and online service available across the UK. The service helps callers feel able to cope in the aftermath of a road crash, providing confidential, needs-led support planning for victims, safeguarding those who are high risk and vulnerable.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cFatal car crashes are akin to a homicide to most bereaved families. They need support and help with issues such as court cases and practical and emotional support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a holistic service that works well, not just here in North Wales but across the whole country.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut without the support of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and the funds he provides we simply couldn\u2019t be as effective nor help as many victims as we do in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n