Wiltshire pensioner jailed after careless driving kills woman
63 year old Mary Emerson-Reed died after being hit by a car near Shaftesbury
Last updated 14th May 2025
A pensioner from Wiltshire has been sentenced to nearly a year in jail after admitting to death by careless driving.
Alan Morris, 75, of Budbury Circle in Bradford on Avon hit a cyclist from behind whilst driving at night on the B3081 near Shaftesbury at around 11pm on 23rd June 2023.
63-year-old Mary Emerson-Reed died from her injuries.
Mary and her friend were cycling along the road with their lights on and wearing high-viz tabards when Morris' Vauxhall Insignia hit her.
Morris initially claimed he hadn't seen the cyclists due to the lights of an oncoming car, but forensic enquiries revealed Mary would have been visible from at least 200 metres away due to the lighting on both bikes.
Additionally, Morris was found to have been travelling at 69mph - above the speed limit of 60pmh.
He would eventually go on to plead guilty to death by careless driving, before being sentenced to 10 months behind bars in a hearing at Salisbury Crown Court.
He's also been banned from driving for 29 months and will need to pass an extended competence test to requalify.
He is also required to pay a surcharge of £187.
T/DC Alex Collins of the Serious Collision Investigation Team said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Mary’s family during this undoubtedly traumatic time for them.
“It has been a lengthy process to get to this point, with numerous complex enquiries needing to be completed, including a reconstruction of the incident. I’d like to thank them for their patience and I hope this sentence can bring an element of closure.
“There can be no excuse for Morris’s driving. Mary and her friend had their bicycle lights illuminated and they were correctly wearing high visibility, reflective clothing given the late hour.
“Morris had ample opportunity to see Mary and failed to do so, colliding with her and sadly causing fatal injuries.
“Careless driving is one of the fatal five driving offences – the five offences most likely to lead to serious injury or death.
“This sad case highlights the importance of giving your full attention to the road, no matter the hour.”