Personal trainer Megan Murphy, 26, repeatedly drove over a man lying in the street before branding him a 'smackhead', a court has heard. She pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and is awaiting sentencing at Bolton Crown Court.
Details of the Incident
On January 9, 2024, Murphy neglected to properly clear ice from her windscreen before driving the wrong way along a one-way street near her previous residence in Marsh Green, Wigan. Darryl Tomlinson, 31, had fallen to the ground after a night out. Murphy struck him, then reversed and ran him over a second time.
Prosecutor Rob Hall told the court that Murphy had developed a 'habit' of reversing from an access lane and travelling the wrong way along one-way Pembroke Road to save time. Neighbours had witnessed this manoeuvre numerous times.
Victim's Movements
Mr Tomlinson had been drinking with friends, watching football, and later visited a flat on Kitt Green Road. He left at around 3.19am, staggering and collapsing on Pembroke Road. He made two phone calls to friends, one leaving a voicemail asking for help. A neighbour found him 'incoherent' and 'unresponsive' at 4.40am and called an ambulance at 5.05am.
Emergency Response Failure
In a tragic twist, the North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police could not locate Mr Tomlinson due to an incorrect address. An independent inquiry into the emergency response is ongoing. Mr Hall stated: 'It would appear the provided address wasn't properly recorded... They attended at the wrong address.'
The Collision
At 5.44am, Murphy made a brief attempt to clear her windscreen, which was described as 'woefully inadequate'. At 5.48am, she drove onto Pembroke Road, her headlights illuminating Mr Tomlinson lying in the road. CCTV showed her driving forward, pausing, then running over him, reversing over him, and driving over him again.
Witnesses waved their arms and shouted, and a taxi driver sounded his horn. Murphy was heard saying 'I didn't see him'. She later called a friend, claiming she had reversed over him and called him a 'smackhead'. A friend urged her to properly defrost her windscreen, saying the victim was 'already on the floor in the way and because he is a crackhead'.
Forensic Findings
A forensic expert concluded that visibility remained poor despite Murphy's efforts. Mr Tomlinson died at the scene from multiple bruises and abrasions.
Victim Impact Statements
Mr Tomlinson's mother, Michelle, said: 'He would do anything for anybody... Since the day I lost my son, it changed all our lives. I do feel the ambulance contributed to his death, but Megan Murphy was the one who took his life.'
His father, Paul, said: 'I have had many sleepless nights thinking about what he suffered... I hold the ambulance service accountable for not finding him - but I hold the girl accountable for taking his life.'
His brother, Lee, added: 'Darryl was not just my brother, he was my best friend... [Murphy] has shown me and everyone else what type of character she is.'
Sentencing
Murphy's barrister, John Dove, will present mitigation on June 24, after which Judge Nicholas Clarke KC will pass sentence.
