A woman is facing jail after being convicted of killing a "selfless" pensioner in a hit-and-run crash while she was high on cannabis.
Hivda Altuntop was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after her car ploughed into 73-year-old ex-nurse Penelope Ann Coggan.
She was also convicted of another eight offences, relating to two incidents that happened on March 18 and April 24 last year.
Altuntop, 21, was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra when she crashed into pedestrian Penelope, in Great Oakley, Northamptonshire, on April 24, 2021.
Mrs Coggan was pronounced dead at the scene, but Altuntop, of Harwich, Essex, failed to stop at the scene.
She was however detained after she crashed the car further along the road. When arrested she was found to be in possession of cannabis and a small kitchen knife.
It was discovered that Altuntop did not own the car that she was driving and she had driven it without the owner’s consent, Essex Live reports .
It was further discovered that she had taken cannabis shortly before the fatal crash.
She denied all counts, including charges of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis.
However a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court convicted her of all of them on Wednesday after a seven-day trial.
Speaking for the first time after the trial, Penelope’s husband, Richard, paid tribute to his wife saying she was “a delightful person and as a mother, always happy, selfless, engaging and thoughtful, supportive and practical."
Penelope’s long and dedicated career as a nurse started at Westminster Hospital where she trained as an S.R.N and later qualified as a midwife.
In 1968, aged 21, Penelope married Richard at Great Anwell Church and went on to have three sons – Nick, Mike and Chris.
Mr Coggan said: “We wanted to come back and enjoy our family while in our 70s, while we could. Two of our sons live in the same road!”
Describing his wife, the devoted husband spoke on behalf of all the family, saying: “Penny was an avid horse lover and book reader - a very special lady, so missed by us all and our friends.”
Serious Collision Investigation Officer, DC Edward Gosling, said: “My thoughts are with Penelope’s family and friends today as this conviction brings the trial to a close.
Hivda Altuntop drove dangerously, having no regard for the safety of others, her behaviour and poor decisions led to a fatal collision which resulted in the tragic loss of life.”
Altuntop will be sentenced at the same court on Friday December 16.
