A grieving father from the West Midlands has issued a desperate plea to all motorists after a moment of careless driving destroyed his family forever.
A Family Holiday That Ended in Tragedy
Colin Roberts, from Walsall Wood, was on a holiday in Kent with his wife Gloria and daughter Dawn in May 2015 when their lives were ripped apart. Dawn's fiancé was driving the family's Renault Megane when, after taking a wrong turn, he attempted a risky U-turn on a busy carriageway.
He pulled directly into the path of motorcyclist Malcolm Batt, a father-of-four. The resulting collision claimed three lives: Gloria, 65, Dawn, 36, and Mr Batt.
Colin has spoken of the haunting memory of trying to save his wife, recalling the remnants of honey cashew nuts on her lips as he gave her the kiss of life. Gloria died at the scene. His daughter Dawn suffered a broken neck and also died.
A Heartbreaking Letter and a Spent Conviction
The driver, whose conviction is now spent, admitted causing death by careless driving. He received a 12-month suspended sentence.
In a powerful new campaign video shared by West Midlands Police, Colin reads an emotional letter addressed to his lost wife and daughter. "My dearest Glo, my heart breaks," he reads. "Life is so lonely and empty since you were snatched from me because of a car driver's moment of inattention."
He directly addresses the driver's lack of care, stating: "If he could understand the massive hole in my life left because of his actions, he'd have taken more care when driving."
A Solemn Warning to Every Driver
Colin's message is a stark warning to anyone behind the wheel. He argues that many drivers never consider the potential consequences of their actions, or simply do not care.
"Everyone needs to drive more carefully, ensuring their eyesight is good and they're fit mentally and physically," he urges. "If they did, far fewer loved ones would be slaughtered on our roads."
He finds some solace in memories of his 42 years with Gloria and through the support of the charity RoadPeace, which helps those bereaved by road crashes.
West Midlands Police echoed Colin's plea, stating: "One moment of distraction. One reckless choice. That’s all it takes to destroy a family forever." Their message is clear: "Before you start the engine, think about who’s waiting for you and who’s waiting for them. No text, no rush, no excuse is worth a life."
