Wigan woman sentenced to six years for causing death by dangerous driving
Megan Murphy drove with frozen windows the wrong way down a one-way street
Last updated 24th Jun 2026
A woman from Wigan, has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
The incident occurred on 9th January 2025, when 26 year old Megan Murphy drove her car on an icy morning with frozen windows, obstructing her view.
Murphy, of Lord Street, Ince, reversed from an alleyway onto Pembroke Road while facing the wrong direction on a one-way street.
Because of the visibility issues, she failed to see Darryl Tomlinson lying in the road, who had collapsed hours earlier.
Two witnesses observed the dangerous situation and attempted to alert Murphy, shouting "stop" and "go back" while sounding their car horn.
Despite stopping just inches from Tomlinson, Murphy couldn't see him due to her frozen windows.
She then drove over him multiple times, with Tomlinson becoming trapped beneath her vehicle.
Murphy unsuccessfully attempted to defrost her car windows while Tomlinson remained trapped.
Meanwhile, she called a friend for help, saying "I've ran him over but it's a smackhead," rather than contacting emergency services.
Once alerted, the North West Ambulance Service and police arrived, using a witness’s car jack to free Tomlinson before administering CPR.
Tomlinson was pronounced dead at about 6:21am.
Questioned about her direction on the road, Murphy could not explain why she was driving the wrong way.
CCTV evidence revealed she had driven in the wrong direction on the same street previously.
The court heard heart-wrenching victim impact statements from Tomlinson's family.
His mother said: "Darryl was my first born, I gave birth to him at 26 weeks weighing only 2lb 4oz, he was so small. I didn’t think he would make it but being the little fighter that he was, he did and overcame all obstacles and became a loving and caring young man."
She continued: "I struggle to put into words how I feel about losing my son, and all I can say is that I really don’t feel anything anymore since losing Darryl. Whether I go to work or just go out, I try to laugh and joke and put on a brave face but in fact I am just empty inside like something is missing, and that’s Darryl.”
Darryl's father shared: "The day Darryl was taken from us on 9th Jan 2025, my life changed forever. I felt as though I had died inside but as still breathing. My heart had been totally ripped out. You cannot explain the loss of a child unless you have suffered it. It’s a pain and emptiness like nothing you will ever experience.”
His brother expressed his grief stating: "Darryl was not just my brother, he was my best friend, my idol, my biggest supporter, and since the day my brother got taken away from me, I feel like he took a piece of me with him. I can’t and never will understand why this person responsible for my brother’s death did not defrost her window and drove the wrong way down a one-way street with no vision."
Detective Constable Carl Boydell from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit commented: “This was a truly tragic and entirely avoidable incident that has resulted in the devastating loss of a life. Our thoughts remain firmly with Darryl’s family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with what has happened."
He added: "This outcome reflects just how seriously the courts treat dangerous driving. Motorists have a responsibility to always follow the rules of the road and to ensure their vehicle is safe before setting off. Even in cold weather, taking the time to properly clear windows and ensure full visibility is essential. If you cannot see clearly, you cannot drive safely."