Careless driver avoids jail after causing death of former Widnes Vikings rugby star
Liam Walsh, 23, died after being struck by a car on Cronton Road in Widnes on 18th September 2021.
A man whose careless driving caused the death of a former Widnes Vikings rugby player has avoided jail time.
Liam Walsh was 23 when he was knocked down by a Vauxhall Corsa on Cronton Road in Widnes just before midnight on Saturday 18th September 2021. His injuries proved to be fatal.
The driver, 59-year-old Glyn Davies of Deepdale, Widnes, was today handed a 10 month sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to careless driving at an earlier hearing. He will be subject to an electronic curfew for four months, ordered to carry out 20 days rehabilitation, and is disqualified from driving for 5 years.
Mr Walsh had been out for drinks with his girlfriend and some friends on the night of the incident. After being unsuccessful in trying to flag down a taxi, the former rugby star stepped into the middle of Cronton Road and began jumping up and down, waving his arms in the air.
The oncoming car, driven by Mr Davies, did not appear to brake and swerved at the last moment - into the path of Liam Walsh who went the same way to try to avoid a collision. His body was thrown over the roof of the car and landed in the road.
Liam was rushed to Whiston Hospital where he was pronounced dead the following morning when his life support machine was switched off.
Reading a victim impact statement to the court, Liam's mum Deborah said she was in constant and unbearable pain after losing her only son: " The last two years have been nothing short of hell… The horrendous death is a constant picture in my mind…Watching Liam take his last breath has destroyed me."
Liam's girlfriend of eight years also fought back tears in court as she spoke of being "stuck together like glue" in what was an inseparable relationship with her 'soulmate'. She told the judge that she struggles to believe that he's actually gone.
On delivering his sentencing remarks, the city's top judge, His Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary said: "This case is tragic for all concerned, especially for the family and friends of Liam who have lost a loved one in such terrible circumstances. Such was the force of the impact that he sustained fatal injuries. He was 23 years of age with his whole life ahead of him. He was a talented rugby player and beyond that he was dearly loved by all who knew him."
Speaking directly to the defendant, Judge Menary went on to say "Given there was no evidence of excessive speed or that your ability to drive was impaired or grossly distracted; you should have seen Liam in the road in plenty of time to allow you to stop well before the collision occurred. The driving was plainly careless and I am sure there was an element of gambling on your part that he would get out of the way."
The judge went on to discuss how immediate custody would not be appropriate or necessary given that Mr Davies was not travelling at an excessive speed, he was not otherwise impaired and had no previous driving or criminal offences.
He said "Statements describe in clear and moving terms what Liam meant to everybody that knew him. No sentence that I can pass today will alleviate or reduce the immeasurable suffering detailed in the victim impact statements.
"I am not persuaded that immediate custody is the necessary or appropriate sentence and whilst there must be a prison sentence, I can and should suspend that."
The reaction from Liam's family following the sentence was one of clear disappointment.
They've since released a statement: “What happened that day was totally avoidable, but due to the actions of one man, Liam has been taken from us forever. No sentence will ever make up for our loss and nothing will bring him back.
“Liam was a considerate and caring young man who touched the hearts and enriched the lives of everyone who knew him.
“He was dedicated to his partner and any spare time Liam had was spent with his family and friends as this is what was important to him.
“He was a kind, gentle soul with the biggest heart, he lit up any room he walked into and he was a true gentleman. It was a pleasure and an honour to have him in our lives for his 23 years and we will now and forever be proud of him.
“His passing left a gaping hole in our family that will never be filled, he will never be forgotten, and words cannot describe how much he is missed.”
The court was told that since the incident, Glyn Davies has given up his car with no intention of ever driving again.