Two drivers have been sentenced for causing the death of an 81-year-old cyclist in Morecambe.
On Saturday September 21, 2024, police were called to the scene of a road traffic collision on Oxcliffe Road, Heaton-with-Oxcliffe.
Upon arrival they found that James Lawley had been riding his racing tricycle when he was struck by two cars. When officers arrived at the scene he was lying critically injured in the road.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, James, from Heysham, died at the scene.
It was quickly established that Matthew Isherwood had been driving a black Seat Altea and had initially struck Lawley’s tricycle causing him to fall into the road. A short time later, he was then run over by a silver Mercedes C200 that did not stop at the scene.
Officers were able to identify the Mercedes, and Roads Policing Unit officers intercepted the vehicle on the Bay Gateway, arresting the driver Kevin Dawson.
Matthew Isherwood was arrested at the scene.
During an investigation into the collision, which included forensic collision evidence, reconstruction work, and digital forensic inquiries, it was established that Isherwood was using his mobile phone on multiple occasions during his journey that morning. This dangerous distraction led to him colliding with James, knocking him from his tricycle.
James Lawley
Data from Isherwood’s mobile phone showed he started his journey at 7:41am. He was only driving for four minutes before he collided with James but within those four minutes he took and sent a selfie on Snapchat, sent Snapchat messages to three other people, looked at photos and videos on Instagram and then sent an Instagram message to a fifth person just seconds prior to the collision.
Three minutes after the collision he sent another message on Snapchat saying ‘I’ve just hit someone.’
Dawson told officers he did not know he had hit James, instead claiming he thought he had hit some rubble in the road, so did not think he needed to stop.
Matthew Isherwood, 28, of Granville Road, Morecambe, appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Monday June 8) and was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was jailed for 5 years and 2 months and disqualified from driving for 7 years and 7 months. He will have to pass an extended retest.
Kevin Dawson, 64, of Hale Carr Lane, Morecambe, was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.
He was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment suspended for 20 months. He was given a 26 weeks electronic curfew, and disqualified from driving for 18 months. He will also have to pass an extended retest.
Detective Sgt Matt Davidson, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Here I find myself leading yet another investigation into the death of person caused by a driver using their mobile phone whilst driving.
‘’The dangers of doing so couldn’t be clearer but we still find motorists who take unnecessary and unlawful risks behind the wheel which can, and does, lead to devastating consequences.
“Kevin Dawson’s actions also played a significant part in the death of James Lawley. Other vehicles ahead of him negotiated around James as he lay in the road, but due to his inattention behind the wheel Dawson did not.
‘’The poor standard of his driving was further demonstrated by his lack of recognition of what had occurred as he left the scene.
“James Lawley was a lifelong cyclist and a member of many prominent north west cycling clubs. At the time of the collision he was riding to marshal at a cycle race in Hampson Green.
‘’But instead, as a result of these two collisions, James very sadly lost his life. Whilst no sentence will ever be enough to make up for the loss of his life, I welcome the fact that Isherwood and Dawson have been held accountable for their actions on that tragic morning.
“My hope is that this devastating case will act as an impactful reminder of the fatal consequences of using your mobile phone whilst driving, driving dangerously and carelessly, and the lifelong impact these actions can have on all people involved.”
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