Jail for driver who killed Elsie, 7, in head-on crash

A 39-year-old driver has been jailed for six years for overtaking a vehicle into the path of an oncoming Kia Rio car killing the seven-year-old passenger, Elsie Gascoigne.

Elsie’s family have paid tribute to the little girl in a separate article on this page.

The man responsible for her death Veselin Dudenski, of Cherry Avenue, Branston, was out delivering parcels in a white Citroen Relay van and driving it along the B1202 Metheringham Heath Lane, near Metheringham on Friday, January 3 at about 5.45pm when the crash took place.

Dudenski was travelling from Metheringham towards Boothby Graffoe when he decided to overtake the vehicle in front, having failed to notice the sign warning of a hidden dip ahead.  

As Dudenski approached the crest of the dip on the wrong side of the road he met the Kia Rio travelling in the opposite direction colliding head on with it.  

He seriously injured both the driver of the Kia, Elsie’s dad, and the little girl, who was sat in the rear. She died in hospital the next morning.

Dudenski was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced after previously pleading guilty following a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday.

Dudenski was sentenced to six years in prison having pleaded guilty to the two offences.  He was also banned from driving for eight years and must take an extended re-test before driving again.

Detective Sergeant Kate Johnston said: “This has been a distressing investigation, involving the tragic loss of a young child.  No outcome can ever reflect the terrible pain that is felt by Elsie’s family and friends following her death.

“Dudenski’s decision to carry out an overtaking manoeuvre on a dark undulating road has ended with the worst of all outcomes.  Drivers should always be patient when using the roads and avoid undertaking risky manoeuvres, especially when the road ahead cannot be clearly seen.  The warning signs that existed are there to prevent such incidents occurring but only work if we all heed them as we use our roads.”