A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a grandfather by dangerous driving after taking drugs and drinking alcohol.

Ronald Ramsey, 74, died after being hit by a Volkswagen Touareg which smashed into him and The Hoy pub in St Osyth.

Colchester Magistrates Court heard his last words to medics who tried to save him were: “Tell my wife I love her.”

Kellie Tandy was behind the wheel of the Volkswagen which hit Mr Ramsey as he was walking his dog.

The court heard she had lost control of the car when the vehicle in front of her indicated to turn right at a crossroads.

David Bryant, prosecuting at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, said: “The driver of the Volkswagen was driving along Colchester Road towards the crossroads with a silver Audi ahead of it.

Gazette:

Scene - the aftermath of the crash near The Hoy in Colchester Road, St Osyth 

“The driver of the Audi stopped wanting to turn right and as the Volkswagen reached the junction it was travelling in excess of the 30mph speed limit and swerved to the left.

“In doing so it collided with Mr Ramsey who was walking along the footpath to the side of the pub.

“He was hit by the Volkswagen which pushed him into the pub.”

Mr Bryant confirmed there had been extensive damage to The Hoy and Mr Ramsey died at the scene on May 11 last year.

Officers at the scene described Tandy’s behaviour as volatile and they suspected she was under the influence of drink and drugs and her breath smelt of alcohol.

The court heard she was taken to Colchester General Hospital where she was treated for a broken leg but she continued to be unco-operative and did not provide a urine sample for testing.

Mr Bryant said experts have estimated the speed of the Volkswagen was between 58 and 66mph in the lead up to the crash and 51mph in the immediate approach.

Tandy, of St John’s Road, Clacton, did not enter pleas to any of the charges during her court appearance.

She spoke only to confirm her details and she understood the proceedings.

The 37-year-old will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court in October. At the next hearing she will be asked to enter pleas to charges of causing death by dangerous driving, driving whilst unfit through drink and drugs, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance.

After his death, Mr Ramsey’s family paid tribute to him. They said: “As we struggle to understand the devastation we have been left to deal with, we take strength knowing what high regard friends and villagers had for Ronnie - my dad and a brilliant granddad.”