Killer driver jailed for six years after driving over vulnerable man twice
A personal trainer and CrossFit athlete who repeatedly drove over a vulnerable man lying in the road has been sentenced to six years in prison. Megan Murphy, 26, spent only seconds attempting to defrost her windscreen before driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Marsh Green, Wigan, in the early hours of January 9 last year. She struck Darryl Tomlinson, 31, who had collapsed in the road after a night out drinking.
Murphy drove over Mr Tomlinson, then reversed and drove over him again. After the incident, she lied to police, claiming she did not see him, and referred to him as a 'smackhead' while he was still trapped under her car. Neighbours had earlier called 999 after spotting Mr Tomlinson, but due to an incorrect address provided to emergency services, neither police nor paramedics could locate him, and he died in the street.
Court hears of reckless driving and inadequate defrosting
At Bolton Crown Court on June 24, Murphy pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. The Recorder of Bolton, Judge Nicholas Clarke KC, stated that CCTV footage showed her attempting to defrost her windscreen for just three seconds. He described this as 'hopelessly inadequate,' noting that the other windows remained opaque and the windscreen was still covered with thick ice. 'You were driving blind,' he said. 'That is in and of itself dangerous. You deliberately chose to drive when you could not see properly. You deliberately drove the wrong way down a one-way street.'
Prosecutor Rob Hall explained that Murphy had a habit of reversing out of an access lane and driving the wrong way down Pembroke Road to save time. 'It would seem she ignored the rules of the road to save herself time by avoiding driving around the housing estate,' he said.
Victim's final hours and emergency service failures
Mr Tomlinson had been drinking with friends, watching football, and had consumed alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis. He left a friend's flat at around 3.19 am, stumbling and falling in the road. A neighbour found him at 4.40 am, incoherent and unresponsive, and his partner called an ambulance at 5.05 am. However, the North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police attended the wrong address due to an incorrectly recorded address, and never reached the scene. A separate investigation into the emergency services' actions is ongoing.
Murphy's actions after the collision
At 5.44 am, Murphy came out of her house and attempted to clear her windscreen for a matter of seconds. At 5.48 am, she drove onto Pembroke Road, her headlights illuminating Mr Tomlinson. She drove forward, stopped momentarily, then drove over him, reversed over him, and drove over him again. Witnesses waved their arms and shouted, and a taxi driver sounded his horn. During a 999 call, Murphy claimed she was leaving to drive the correct way. She later walked away to call a friend, stating she had reversed over Mr Tomlinson and called him a 'smackhead.' A friend encouraged her to ensure her windscreen was properly defrosted or she would 'get f***ed.'
Forensic analysis showed visibility remained poor even after her later attempts to defrost the windscreen. Mr Tomlinson was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem report revealed multiple bruises and abrasions, with cause of death being chest injuries and acute alcohol toxicity. Judge Clarke noted that alcohol hastened his condition but was not the direct cause of death.
Defence and sentencing
John Dove, representing Murphy, described her as a 'hard working and industrious individual' who had served in the army as a chef for six years before becoming a CrossFit athlete and personal trainer. He said she was 'devastated' and 'a broken woman,' and that she initially thought she had hit an animal. She regretted the comment about Mr Tomlinson and wished to apologise. Judge Clarke sentenced Murphy to six years in prison and disqualified her from driving for seven years.
Detective Constable Carl Boydell from GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: '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. This outcome reflects just how seriously the courts treat dangerous driving.'
