Two drivers have been sentenced for causing the death of an 81-year-old cyclist in Heaton-with-Oxcliffe.
James Lawley, from Heysham, was riding his racing tricycle in Oxcliffe Road when he was hit by two cars and died at the scene despite efforts from emergency services.
Matthew Isherwood, 28, of Granville Road, Morecambe, was driving a black Seat Altea when he struck Mr Lawley’s tricycle, causing him to fall into the road.
Shortly after, he was hit by a silver Mercedes-Benz C200 driven by 64-year-old Kevin Dawson, also from Morecambe, who did not stop at the scene.
Matthew Isherwood was arrested at the scene, while police later identified and intercepted Dawson on the Bay Gateway.
A police investigation found that Isherwood had used his mobile phone multiple times during his journey.
In just four minutes before the crash, he took and sent a selfie on Snapchat, messaged three people on Snapchat, viewed photos and videos on Instagram, and sent an Instagram message.
Three minutes after the collision, he sent a Snapchat message saying: "I’ve just hit someone."
Detective Sergeant Matt Davidson, from the police's 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.
"Kevin Dawson’s actions also played a significant part in the death of James Lawley.
"Other vehicles ahead of him negotiated around James as he lay in the road, but due to his inattention behind the wheel, Dawson did not.
"The poor standard of his driving was further demonstrated by his lack of recognition of what had occurred as he left the scene.
"James Lawley was a lifelong cyclist and a member of many prominent north-west cycling clubs.
"At the time of the collision, he was riding to marshal at a cycle race in Hampson Green.
"But instead, as a result of these two collisions, James very sadly lost his life.
"Whilst no sentence will ever be enough to make up for the loss of his life, I welcome the fact that Isherwood and Dawson have been held accountable for their actions on that tragic morning.
"My hope is that this devastating case will act as an impactful reminder of the fatal consequences of using your mobile phone whilst driving, driving dangerously and carelessly, and the lifelong impact these actions can have on all people involved."
Kevin Dawson, 64, of Hale Carr Lane, Morecambe, appeared at Preston Crown Court today and was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.
He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 20 months. He was given a 26-week electronic curfew and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
He will have to pass an extended retest.
Matthew Isherwood, 28, of Granville Road, Morecambe, appeared at Preston Crown Court today and was sentenced after pleading 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.
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