The family of Charlotte Rigby, a 36-year-old mother killed by a speeding driver, have expressed their anger after the driver received a suspended sentence. Shaun Read, 33, was driving at 72mph in a 50mph zone on the A580 East Lancashire Road in Lowton, Wigan, when he struck Charlotte in March 2024. She died from catastrophic injuries.
Driver Found Guilty of Causing Death by Careless Driving
Read, an HGV driver at Manchester Airport, denied responsibility but was found guilty by a jury of causing death by careless driving. At trial, dash cam footage showed him passing three 50mph limit signs and a caution sign without slowing down. Prosecutor Mr Smith noted that Charlotte had begun crossing the westbound carriageway on a toucan crossing with a red pedestrian signal, but a HGV driver had slowed to allow her to cross. Read, however, did not slow down and struck her at 72mph.
Suspended Sentence Sparks Family Outrage
Judge Mark Savill handed Read a suspended jail term, stating: "Nothing I say can make amends for the devastating loss… I do not consider her actions significantly contributed to the collision or her death. The significant factors here were your excessive speed." The family described the sentence as "an absolute insult" and said: "Our system is broken. It serves the criminal and not the victim."
Family Statements Highlight Devastation
Charlotte's daughter Olivia said: "I hope I'm doing you proud, mummy… I will live my life for the two of us." Her mother Christine Quormby said: "Charlotte was loving, caring, and had a zest for life that outshone any bright star." She added: "Mr Read will continue his life after this. My daughter does not have that luxury." Charlotte's father John Quormby, a retired detective, said: "Losing a child is clearly against the natural order… The flashbacks of those incidents, now involving my daughter's body, torment me frequently."
Family Calls for Driver Accountability
Speaking after the hearing, the family said: "We are the victims here, not Read. He was never the victim." They noted Read never apologized and that his actions were preventable. They hope Charlotte's story serves as a reminder that driving requires attention and patience, and that a single careless decision can destroy families.
