Netherton man jailed for causing death of motorcyclist by dangerous driving
Vincent Lawrence was hit by Kieran Williams' red Vauxhall Astra in July 2023
A Netherton man who caused the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving has been jailed for over eight years.
Kieran Williams, 24, of Waterside, in Netherton, was speeding and driving his red Vauxhall Astra on the wrong side of the road just before hitting 48-year-old Vincent Lawrence.
It happened at around 11:10am on Wednesday 19 July 2023 on Netherton Perimeter Road.
Mr Lawrence, known by his family and friends as Vinny, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
An investigation found that Williams went the wrong way around a mini roundabout and pedestrian crossing island just before hitting Vincent.
Merseyside Police say Vincent, who is from Kirkby, was riding his motorbike with care and abiding by the rules of the road.
Lead Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, said:
"Our thoughts today remain very much with Vinny’s family at this difficult time, and we continue to support them.
"Although no sentencing result can bring him back, we hope that the family can take some small comfort in knowing that the person who caused his death is now in prison.
"My team has worked tirelessly since this incident to ensure that Williams has been brought to justice and that we were able to provide Vinny’s family and close friends with the answers they needed.
"Merseyside Police will not tolerate drivers who deliberately ignore the rules of the road, and we are committed to the prevention of serious injury and road death, to work towards Vision Zero – our strategy focused on driving down the amount of road traffic collisions in our regions and to lower the number of people killed and seriously injured on our streets.
"However, this is something that we must all do in partnership. Communities can also take a stand and help us to make the roads safer. The vast majority of road users across Merseyside are responsible and law abiding and we know how much you want to help us, so that we can ensure roads and shared spaces are used responsibly and that people abide by the laws we enforce.
"To that end, if you know of drivers who are breaking the law and thus putting others in danger, please tell us, so that we can take swift and robust action to prevent harm."
As well as being sentenced for eight years and eight months, Williams has been disqualified from driving for five years upon his release from prison.
He'll have to pass an extended driving test to get behind the wheel again.