Driver Jailed After Using Snapchat Before Fatal Crash With Farmer

A driver who used Snapchat on her mobile phone moments before crashing into a farmer's quad bike has been jailed after admitting causing his death by dangerous driving.

Ami Dronsfield, 36, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison after the death of 58-year-old farmer Michael Armstrong on the A697 in Northumberland.

Mr Armstrong was travelling home after work to care for his elderly father when he was struck from behind by Dronsfield's Volkswagen Golf near Whittingham on 24 November 2024.

Phone used moments before collision

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Dronsfield was driving from her home in Glanton towards a hair appointment in Alnwick when the collision happened shortly after 17:00.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said Dronsfield's phone had been used twice during the journey.

The court heard she accessed Snapchat for seven seconds immediately before the crash.

Dronsfield had also overtaken two vehicles before the collision. One witness estimated she had been travelling at around 80mph on a road with a 60mph limit, although the prosecution accepted that speed was not a factor in the crash.

Emergency services were called following the collision.

Dronsfield was described as being in shock at the scene and was heard saying: "I need to contact the hairdresser" and "oh my God what if I killed him".

Michael Armstrong spent 11 days on life support

Mr Armstrong suffered catastrophic injuries in the collision.

He was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he remained on life support for 11 days before he died.

His family described his death as devastating and said they had been left struggling to come to terms with the loss of a much-loved husband, father and member of the farming community.

His wife told the court that Michael had left their home that evening with his usual goodbye before setting off.

She said neither of them knew those would be his final words.

The family were alerted to the crash shortly afterwards and travelled to the scene.

His wife described what they encountered as a horrific scene.

Their son was faced with the distressing experience of helping his seriously injured father at the crash site.

Mr Armstrong died one day after his son's 21st birthday.

Family describe devastating loss

In a statement read to the court, Mr Armstrong's wife described him as her "soulmate" and said his death had left their family broken.

She said she and their son were trying to continue his farming legacy while dealing with the loss of the person she described as their "rock".

She also said the wider community had lost someone who was much loved and respected.

'A huge mistake'

Dronsfield's defence barrister, Sophie Dower, told the court that her client was a devoted single mother who had expressed deep remorse for the consequences of her actions.

Dronsfield, who had worked for Northumberland County Council for 17 years, wrote to the court saying she had made a "huge mistake".

She said knowing that her actions had resulted in someone losing their life was a burden of guilt she would never overcome.

The court also heard that Dronsfield had no previous convictions and an otherwise impeccable driving record.

Judge issues warning to drivers

Judge Robert Adams said the case should serve as a stark warning to anyone who uses a mobile phone while driving.

He said even a very short period of distraction could have fatal consequences.

The judge also noted that the incident happened at night and said the light from a phone screen could further affect a driver's ability to see the road.

He said Dronsfield had not intended to harm anyone, but the consequences of her actions had been devastating.

Driving ban imposed

Dronsfield will serve no more than half of her prison sentence before being released on licence.

She was also banned from driving for six years and seven months and will have to pass an extended driving test before she can legally drive again.

For the Armstrong family, however, the sentence cannot undo the loss of a husband, father and farmer whose life ended after a moment of distraction on the road.

The case serves as a reminder that using a mobile phone behind the wheel can have consequences that last far beyond the journey itself.