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A pensioner ran over a woman at a zebra crossing and broke her leg in three places when she couldn't see her through a misted windscreen. The victim said she had been unable to take part in Ironman and triathlon events she was due to take part in as a result of her injury. Bernadette Dukes, 75, was driving her Volkswagen Golf in Cardiff on December 19 last year when she struck Janet Ebenezer near Heath High Level train station. Mrs Ebenezer was walking across a zebra crossing when she was hit by the car, which had a misted windscreen. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard Mrs Ebenezer was on her way to work and had parked her car before walking to the train station. F or the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter . As she made her along Heath High Road and approached a zebra crossing she could see a vehicle travelling towards her from the right-hand side but it appeared to be slowing down. Mrs Ebenezer believed it was safe to cross but as she was halfway across the road she realised the car was not stopping and the vehicle hit her. A witness saw the collision and shouted for Mrs Ebenezer to stop but it was too late. Prosecutor Nik Strobl said the victim was thrown into the air and landed onto the bonnet of the car before falling to the ground and hitting her head. Mrs Ebenezer could see her left leg was at an angle and knew it was broken. She was also in excruciating pain. As members of the public came to assist the victim Dukes could be heard to say: "Sorry, sorry". Mrs Ebenezer's leg was "straightened" and she was taken to the University Hospital of Wales . A CT scan of her leg revealed multiple fractures and she underwent surgery to place a nail and screws to the shinbone. The victim spent a total of nine days in hospital. The defendant was spoken to at the scene by police and she tested negative for alcohol. She said she had been temporarily blinded by the low sun. Dukes, of Coed Glas Road, Llanishen, later pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The court heard she is of previous good character. In a victim personal statement read to the court by Mr Strobl Mrs Ebenezer described the impact the collision has had on her family life and her career as a sports journalist. She said: "This incident and the injury caused by the incident has had a deeply profound emotional impact on every single aspect of my life, far beyond the physical pain of breaking my leg in three places and enduring a 10-day hospital stay over Christmas . "As the mother of two amazing children, and a wife, the experience has left me feeling vulnerable, shaking, and emotionally drained. "The thought of how my absence has affected my husband and children has weighed heavily on me. "I feel guilty and sad, especially not being able to attend family gatherings, concerts, and pantomimes with the children. "The suddenness of the accident shattered my sense of safety and fear I will never be able to return to the location of the incident and will have to find an alternative route when I eventually return to work. "My family and friends would describe me as a successful, ambitious, and independent person. I have lost confidence in myself and suffer with flashbacks on the incident as well as panic attacks throughout the night and day." Mrs Ebenezer said her injuries affected her ability to visit her 81-year-old aunt in Haverfordwest. It has also prevented her from attending sporting events across the world having previously covered the Olympics, World Cups, and the Six Nations . The victim said she was also due to take part in the Ironman event in 2025 as well as several triathlon events including representing Great Britain at a European triathlon event. Mrs Ebenezer added: "What happened to me was avoidable. No-one should have to suffer from someone else's negligence. "I want accountability for what has happened and to make sure lessons are learnt and no one else will have to deal with this." She added: "This has changed who I am, my sense of independence, emotionally, professionally, and who I am as a person. "I no longer feel like a confident, active and independent person I once was. I am learning to navigate my life shaped by the trauma, pain, and uncertainty of a life I never chose." In mitigation Peter Donnison said his client offers an "unreserved apology" to Mrs Ebenezer and recognises the significant impact it's had on her. The defence barrister said the defendant has returned her driving licence and does not intend to drive again. He also said his client is under the care of a cardiologist and is on medication. Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson said: "This case is a reminder of the huge responsibility all motorists have when they get behind the wheel and the devastating consequences that can result when people fail in this responsibility. You failed that day and the consequences to Janet Ebenezer were very severe and continue to be severe now." Dukes was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months. The defendant was disqualified from driving for three years and was ordered to pay costs of £1,000. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .
