Two sentenced after cyclist, 81, killed after being hit by two cars in Morecambe
James Lawley died after he was hit by two cars in Morecambe
Two drivers have been sentenced after an 81-year-old cyclist died following a collision in Morecambe.
James Lawley, from Heysham, died after he was hit by two cars while riding his racing tricycle on Oxcliffe Road in September 2024.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene.
Preston Crown Court heard how Matthew Isherwood, 28, of Granville Road, Morecambe, hit James' tricycle, causing him to fall into the road.
He was then run over by another car, being driven by Kevin Dawson, 64, of Hale Carr Lane, Morecambe.
Investigations revealed that Isherwood had been using his mobile phone to send messages on Snapchat and scroll on Instagram while driving that morning.
Three minutes after colliding with James, he sent another message on Snapchat saying “I’ve just hit someone”.
Dawson told officers he thought he'd hit some rubble in the road, not a person, so didn't stop.
Sentences handed down
Isherwood has been jailed for 5 years and 2 months and disqualified from driving for 7 years and 7 months.
He previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Dawson avoided jail, as he was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for 20 months, a 26 weeks electronic curfew, and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
He also admitted causing death by careless driving.
They must both pass an extended driving retest.
"He was riding to marshal at a cycle race in Hampson Green"
Detective Sgt Matt Davidson, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Lancashire Police, 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.”