A grieving husband recalls the harrowing cries he heard when his beloved wife was struck down by a reckless builder who was fleeing from authorities. Clint Harrison remains tormented by the memory of his wife, Suzanne Cherry, being hit by a van driven by John McDonald on a golf course in central England during a police pursuit that lasted over 12 minutes.
Suzanne Cherry, 62, sustained fatal injuries on April 11 last year at Aston Wood Golf Club near Birmingham, passing away four days later in the hospital. McDonald, 52, admitted to causing death by dangerous driving at Worcester Crown Court and received a sentence of 13 years and six months in prison.
Accompanying McDonald in the van were his son, Johnny McDonald, 23, and an accomplice, Brett Delaney, 35, who were sentenced to 32 months and 28 months in jail, respectively, for their involvement in a linked fraud scheme. John McDonald could be released after serving two-thirds of his sentence under UK laws, potentially being freed in around eight years.
Mr. Harrison shared, “The burden of witnessing such a tragedy on what should have been a peaceful day will stay with me forever. The image of her fragile body breaking before my eyes and her scream before the impact haunts me constantly.” Suzanne’s brother, Adrian Cherry, 60, a retired firefighter, added, “He deserves lifelong imprisonment.”
During the court proceedings, police dashcam footage revealed the pursuit’s dangerous course, involving high speeds, driving on the wrong side of the road, running red lights, and narrowly avoiding pedestrians. The van collided with multiple vehicles, including one with a baby inside, before ultimately striking Suzanne Cherry on the golf course.
Describing the chaotic scene in court, a prosecutor mentioned Clint Harrison’s last view of his wife as a blur of brown hair and the sound of her scream. Following the crash, the three men fled the scene, with Mr. Harrison confronting them and expressing his anguish over his wife’s death.
Suzanne Cherry suffered severe injuries, leading to her subsequent passing despite medical efforts. The men were apprehended days later while trying to rent another van at a dealership in Worcester. Prosecutors revealed their attempt to escape arrest was related to a fraudulent roofing scheme targeting vulnerable individuals.
The sentencing also addressed the fraud charges, with John McDonald receiving an additional 48 months for conspiracy. In response to the incident, Mr. Harrison disclosed his reluctance to return to a golf course and his struggle to keep his golf equipment at home.
Suzanne Cherry, a mother of three and a new grandmother, tragically missed the birth of her first grandchild shortly after her demise. Mr. Harrison criticized the rejection of a compensation claim by the authorities and emphasized the ongoing pursuit of justice for his late wife.