Two motorists have been sentenced after an 81-year-old cyclist was killed in a horrific double-impact crash, with one driver sending Snapchat selfies moments before ploughing into him. Emergency services raced to Oxcliffe Road in Heaton-with-Oxcliffe, Morecambe, on September 21, 2024, where pensioner James Lawley was found lying seriously injured after being hit by two cars while riding his racing tricycle. Despite desperate efforts by paramedics, the grandfather from Heysham died at the scene.
The Incident
Preston Crown Court heard how the first driver, Matthew Isherwood, had been taking a selfie on Snapchat and messaging on Instagram shortly before, and even after, striking the 81-year-old. Isherwood was driving a black Seat Altea when he collided with Lawley's tricycle, causing him to fall into the road. Moments later, a silver Mercedes C200 driven by Kevin Dawson ran over the cyclist. Dawson did not stop at the scene but was later tracked down by officers on the Bay Gateway and arrested.
Phone Distraction
An investigation examining forensic collision evidence, reconstruction work, and digital forensics concluded that Isherwood was using his mobile phone on multiple occasions during his journey that morning. Phone data retrieved from his device showed he started his journey at 7:41am. Just four minutes into his journey, the crash took place. In that time, Isherwood had taken a selfie on Snapchat, sent messages to three people on the app, scrolled his Instagram feed, and sent messages on that app too. Three minutes after the collision, he sent another message on Snapchat saying: 'I've just hit someone'.
Sentencing
Matthew Isherwood, 28, of Granville Road, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed for five years and two months and disqualified from driving for seven years and seven months. He will have to pass an extended retest. Kevin Dawson, 64, of Hale Carr Lane, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 20 months, given a 26-week electronic curfew, and disqualified from driving for 18 months. He will also have to pass an extended retest.
Police Statement
Detective Sergeant Matt Davidson, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'Here I find myself leading yet another investigation into the death of a 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.' He added that Dawson's inattention also played a significant part, as other vehicles had negotiated around James lying in the road, but Dawson did not. James Lawley was a lifelong cyclist and member of prominent north west cycling clubs, riding to marshal at a cycle race at the time. Davidson hopes this case will serve as a reminder of the fatal consequences of using a mobile phone while driving.
