Home / Crime and Justice / Phone Use Kills Pedestrian: Driver Sentenced
Phone Use Kills Pedestrian: Driver Sentenced
9 Jun
Summary
- Driver used Instagram seconds before fatal crash.
- Victim was an 81-year-old man on a tricycle.
- Two drivers received prison sentences for their roles.
In September 2024, an 81-year-old man, James Lawley, was tragically killed while riding his tricycle in Morecambe, Lancashire. The initial collision occurred when driver Matthew Isherwood, aged 28, used his mobile phone for social media apps, including Instagram and Snapchat, moments before striking Mr. Lawley.
Tragically, Mr. Lawley was then run over a short time later by a second vehicle, a silver Mercedes driven by 64-year-old Kevin Dawson. Emergency services attended the scene but pronounced Mr. Lawley deceased. Both drivers have since been sentenced at Preston Crown Court.
Investigations revealed Isherwood sent a selfie on Snapchat and multiple messages on both Snapchat and Instagram within the four minutes of his journey before the collision. He later messaged, 'I've just hit someone.' Dawson claimed he thought he hit rubble, not a person. Isherwood received five years and two months for causing death by dangerous driving, and Dawson received a suspended eight-month sentence for causing death by careless driving.
