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Driver gets jail for causing fatal crash while she posted on Facebook

A UK motorist crashed into a stationary car and killed a senior citizen while trying to send a birthday message on Facebook.

Wendy Thompson, 53, was sending the note with one hand and plugging in a charger with the other.

But she plowed into the back of Rodney Lewis, 84, at 50 miles-per-hour. Lewis died from his injuries.

His wife Marlene, 77, suffered a shattered pelvis and a broken hip, a court heard.

The couple, from Enfield, North London, had stopped on the capital’s North Circular in Friern Barnet to help their 21-year-old grandson, who had broke down.

The Old Bailey court heard that Lewis’ red Hyundai had its hazard lights on.

Lorry driver Michael Smith told police he slowed down to allow Thompson’s VW Passat to change lanes but she made no attempt to.

Sales manager Thompson told cops she was trying to plug her charger into her phone and “just didn’t see them.”

She also admitted using Facebook at the time of the crash on February 3, 2016.

Her lawyer said she would “carry the guilt of her wrongdoing for the rest of her life”.

Thompson, from Barnetby, United Kingdom, admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

She was jailed for two years and three months and given a ten-year driving ban.