THE wife of a retired Sussex policeman killed in a road crash is suing

the driver convicted for causing his death for more than £100,000.

Renee Richards' husband, David, was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle in June, 1997, when he was hit head-on by a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by trainee teacher Hanna Berry.

He suffered massive injuries in the crash, on the A24 near Kingsfold, north of Horsham, and died in hospital more than three months later.

Now Mrs Richards, of Hillmead, Horsham, is claiming damages in excess of £100,000 from Ms Berry, of Bedford.

She is claiming Ms Berry was negligent at the time of the accident in that she drove on the wrong side of the road, overtook when it was unsafe to do so, overtook on a blind bend, overtook across a solid white line indicating no overtaking was permitted and failed to keep a proper look out.

A writ filed at the High Court in London also claims that Ms Berry failed to take any, or adequate, care for the safety of Mr Richards, 53, and hit him while he was driving correctly on his side of the road.

Ms Berry, who was 25 at the time of the accident, was said to have suffered a momentary lapse of concentration.

In 1998, she pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to causing death by dangerous driving and was given 240 hours' community service and banned from driving for five years.

Mother-of-three Mrs Richards was due to travel pillion on the fatal ride, but changed her mind at the last minute and remained home.

Following the court case, she said she felt sorry for Ms Berry and offered to speak to her if it would help her come to terms with the tragedy, but her offer was never taken up.

In, June, 1998 she said of her husband: "I mourn for him and always will.

"But bitterness had no part in Dave's character so it would not be appropriate. I have to be positive.

"I forgive the other driver involved in the accident. It was her fault, but it was not deliberate. She will have to live with it for the rest of her life."

Mr Richards was also survived by three children David, 23, Gemma, 22, and Allan, 19.