A speeding pensioner has been jailed after killing a cyclist on a countryside route in Wiltshire.
Mary Emerson-Reed, 63, died after being knocked off her bike on the B3081 between Tollard Royal and Shaftesbury, a mile east of Zig Zag Hill, at around 11pm on 23 June last year.
Mary, an experienced local cyclist, and a friend were riding with their lights lit and wearing high-visibility tabards when she was struck from behind by a Vauxhall Insignia driven by Alan Morris.
The driver, 75, of Budbury Circle, Bradford on Avon, initially claimed he was unable to see her due to the lights of an oncoming car.
However, forensic enquiries proved that Mary and her friend would have been visible from at least 200 metres away.
Morris was also found to have been driving at around 69mph in a 60mph limit.
He pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment at Salisbury Crown Court on today (Thursday).
Morris was also banned from driving for 29 months. He will be required to take an extended test of competence before regaining his licence. In addition, he must pay a £187 surcharge.
T/DC Alex Collins, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Mary’s family during this undoubtedly traumatic time for them.
“It has been a lengthy process to get to this point, with numerous complex enquiries needing to be completed, including a reconstruction of the incident. I’d like to thank them for their patience and I hope this sentence can bring an element of closure.
“There can be no excuse for Morris’s driving. Mary and her friend had their bicycle lights illuminated and they were correctly wearing high visibility, reflective clothing given the late hour.
“Morris had ample opportunity to see Mary and failed to do so, colliding with her and sadly causing fatal injuries.
“Careless driving is one of the fatal five driving offences – the five offences most likely to lead to serious injury or death.
“This sad case highlights the importance of giving your full attention to the road, no matter the hour.”
