A teenager riding an illegal e-bike crashed into a father of seven, leaving him with life-changing injuries that require around-the-clock care. The 15-year-old boy collided with the 46-year-old cyclist in Thornaby, North Yorkshire, on January 31.
Collision captured on CCTV and dashcam
CCTV footage showed the teenager and another 15-year-old boy riding their electric off-road bikes at speed through residential streets. They were seen riding on pavements and popping wheelies without helmets in the lead-up to the collision. Dashcam footage showed the pair dangerously overtaking a car on Thorntree Road before hitting the 46-year-old man.
The cyclist was wedged between his bike, the road and a parked car, while one of the teens attempted to flee. The father was left with significant, life-changing injuries and remains in hospital receiving around-the-clock care eight months on.
Charges and sentencing
One of the teens was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance. The second rider removed the illegal bikes from the scene and was charged with perverting the course of justice, possession of a class B drug, driving without a licence or insurance and driving dangerously.
The pair, now aged 16 and unable to be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty and were sentenced on September 2. A judge disqualified them both from driving, and each received a Youth Offending Team referral – one must also pay £495 in compensation.
Police response
Detective Constable Nichola Lamport, from Cleveland Police’s Collision Investigation Unit, said she was disappointed with the sentence. ‘The actions of these two young boys have left a father-of-seven hospitalised, unable to be at home with his family, and in need of around-the-clock care,’ she said. ‘We presented a thorough and robust investigation to the courts, working closely with the family of the victim, and we are all disappointed with today’s sentence.
‘It is very fortunate that this man didn’t lose his life, and it could have happened so easily, but his injuries will impact him for the rest of his life.’
