Teenage E-Bike Rider Admits Killing Great-Grandmother While Under Influence
A teenage e-bike rider under the influence of drugs has admitted causing the death of a great-grandmother as she walked across a zebra crossing. Billy Stokoe, aged 19, is now facing a substantial prison sentence after striking pedestrian Gloria Stephenson, 86, while she was walking her daughter's dog in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Witnesses reported that Stokoe, who had smoked cannabis prior to the incident, was using his mobile phone when he collided with Ms Stephenson on May 26 last year. CCTV footage revealed that Stokoe failed to slow his Sur-Ron Light Bee electronic motorcycle as he approached the zebra crossing, and he fled the scene immediately after the collision. Despite receiving treatment at the scene, Ms Stephenson succumbed to her injuries.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Stokoe, dressed in a dark suit and tie and supported by family members, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He had previously admitted to causing death while driving unlicensed and uninsured. Judge Robert Adams adjourned the hearing for a pre-sentence report, warning Stokoe, who was released on bail, that all sentencing options remain available. Sentencing is scheduled for May.
Family's Heartbreaking Response
Devastated family members of Ms Stephenson have expressed fears that her death "won't be the last" linked to the dangers posed by e-bikes. Her daughter, who chose to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail that Ms Stephenson, a widow, maintained an active lifestyle, walking 10,000 steps daily and had three holidays booked at the time of her death.
She emphasized: "Mam wasn't the first and won't be the last. It has happened before and it will happen again. We want something positive to come from her death so this does not happen again."Ms Stephenson, described by her family as "fit, healthy, active, and very independent," leaves behind 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In a statement released after her death, her family highlighted her vibrant spirit, stating she was "full of life" and had "years left to give her love and share her energy."
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
During an earlier magistrates' court hearing, prosecutor Chike Anieto detailed that Stokoe was riding the e-bike around 2 pm when he "collided with Gloria Stephenson, an 86-year-old lady, crossing the road on a pedestrian zebra crossing." The incident proved fatal, leading to her death.
Anieto added: "[The incident] was captured on dash cam footage which shows the defendant did not slow down at the crossing and collided with Gloria Stephenson. The witness evidence in this case is he was speeding and holding a mobile phone. The defendant when interviewed in respect of the case provided no comment."
This case underscores growing concerns about e-bike safety and the consequences of reckless behavior on the roads, as communities grapple with preventing similar tragedies in the future.
