"Beloved 65-Year-Old Grandma Tragically Killed by Speeding Drunk Driver on Wrong Side of the Road"

Table of Contents

1. Prison Sentence for Oliver Hartley
2. Details of the Collision
3. About Linda Stockdale
4. Impact on Linda's Family
5. Investigation and Sentencing Remarks

A MAN has received a one-year prison sentence following the death of a 65-year-old woman in a tragic head-on collision.

Oliver Hartley, 24, was sentenced to 12 months at York Crown Court after causing a fatal accident while joyriding in his mother’s car.

Hartley was driving his mother’s Audi A7 when he collided head-on with Linda.Credit: North Yorkshire Police

Hartley, from Meanwood, was awaiting trial for causing death by dangerous driving when he unexpectedly changed his plea to a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.

In addition to his 12-month prison term, he has also been banned from driving for six months and will be required to take an extended driving test.

Hartley was charged with drink-driving, to which he pleaded guilty on February 1, 2022.

He received a 20-month driving disqualification for the drink-driving offense.

On August 1, 2021, Hartley was driving a black A7 that he had taken from his mother’s home without her permission during the early hours of the morning.

He was uninsured and had been drinking prior to taking his mother’s car for a joyride.

Analysis of the location data from Hartley’s mobile phone revealed that he had traveled up and down the A1(M) and the A6055 seven times.

He drove as far north as Scotch Corner before the tragic crash, exceeding the speed limit significantly.

Linda Stockdale, 65, was babysitting her grandchildren and was on her way home to Tunstall in her blue Ceed.

Linda, a teacher who worked with disabled children, tragically lost her life at the scene of the high-speed crash when Hartley collided with her vehicle head-on.

Police reported that in the moments leading up to the accident, Hartley was traveling between 95 and 105 mph.

For the past four years, Linda’s family has received support from specialized officers as they navigated the aftermath of the tragedy and the subsequent court proceedings.

Linda’s devastated children expressed that their mother was: “Such a kind, thoughtful, caring, and beautiful person."

“Her loss has been devastating for many, including family, lifelong friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

Linda tragically died at the scene of the high-speed collision.Credit: North Yorkshire Police

“It has been incredibly difficult for me to articulate the impact of losing my mom, as I feel I cannot do her justice.”

Adding: “It’s impossibly hard to even try to convey the devastating feeling of losing a parent to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, especially the loss of someone as remarkable as my mom.

“She was an incredible friend and teacher, and countless people miss her dearly.

“The last four years have been torturous for everyone, with no real answers and the painful, constant reminder of the accident haunting us all.”

Her partner shared: “Linda and I were together for 25 years. We were deeply in love and did everything together.

“Losing Linda has completely changed my life; it has turned my world upside down.

“Linda was an extraordinary woman. She dedicated her life to working with disabled children and was a truly phenomenal person who helped others.

“She was my entire world.

“She was so beloved by our local community that there is a plaque dedicated to her by a tree in the village where we lived.”

Following the sentencing, DC Laura Cleary from the Major Collision Investigation Team stated: “Linda’s death has caused immense heartache for her family, and our thoughts remain with them.

“They have displayed remarkable strength and dignity while awaiting the conclusion of this long-running case.

“I hope they find some solace in the court's outcome, but nothing can compensate for what happened to Linda.”