A PENSIONER was killed after being hit by a selfie-taking driver, before being struck again by a second motorist in a “hit and run”.
Minutes after the first driver smashed into James Lawley, 81, he sent a Snapchat message saying: “I’ve just hit someone”.
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James Lawley was out on an early morning cycle when he was hit twice Credit: SWNS
Matthew Isherwood’s Snapchat selfie moments before the crash Credit: SWNS
The lifelong cyclist was on an early morning ride on his blue racing tricycle when he was hit by the first car and thrown into the carriageway just before 7.45am.
Matthew Isherwood, 28, the driver of the black Seat Altea, had been using social media on his phone throughout his four-minute drive on September 21 last year.
He mowed down Mr Lawley and the cyclist was thrown into the carriageway on Oxcliffe Road in Heaton-with-Oxcliffe, Morecambe.
Moments later, a second car then ran over Mr Lawley as lay on the tarmac.
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Matthew Isherwood had been driving a black Seat Altea Credit: SWNS
Matthew Isherwood who was using Snapchat and Instagram for much of his drive Credit: SWNS
The elderly cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of the emergency services.
Kevin Dawson, 64, who was driving a silver Mercedes C200, and Isherwood were both sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday.
Isherwood, from Morecambe, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for five years and two months.
He will be banned from driving for seven years and seven months and will have to take an extended test before he can drive again.
Kevin Dawson told officers he thought he ran over some rubble Credit: SWNS
Kevin Dawson didn’t stop after he hit Mr Lawley Credit: SWNS
Dawson admitted to causing death by careless driving and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 20 months.
He will be subject to a 26-week electronic curfew, be banned from driving for 18 months and also have to pass the extended test.
In the four minutes Isherwood was driving before the smash, he took and sent a Snapchat selfie, messaged three people on the app and used Instagram to scroll through photos and message a fifth person.
Three minutes after he hit Mr Lawley, Isherwood sent another message on Snapchat that said: “I’ve just hit someone”.
Kevin Dawson was later arrested by officers Credit: SWNS
Matthew Isherwood was arrested at the scene Credit: SWNS
In CCTV footage of the crash Mr Lawley can be seen riding his tricycle on the road before Isherwood’s black car approaches.
After the first collision other drivers managed to drive around the body but Dawson did not.
The court heard how the Mercedes driver also failed to stop after he drove over Mr Lawley.
He later told officers he thought he had just driven over some rublle in the road.
Dawson was intercepted by the Roads Policing Unit on the Bay Gateway and arrested while Isherwood was detained at the scene.
Detective Sgt Matt Davidson, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “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.”
