Teenage motorcyclist avoids prison after causing the death of a pedestrian in Norwich
It happened on Colmon Road in November 2022.
A motorcyclist who was speeding on a motorbike and whilst uninsured to ride it has been given a suspended sentence after colliding with a woman on a pedestrian crossing who later died in hospital of her injuries.
Cj Fitt, 18, of Barrett Road, Norwich, was sentenced to nine months custody, suspended for two years, required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified for three years at Norwich Crown Court today (20 September 2024) for causing the death of Lucy Machin by careless driving and causing her death by driving whilst uninsured. The court also ordered he is required to pass an extended driving test after his disqualification ends if he wishes to drive again.
The court heard how Fitt, who had earlier pleaded guilty to the offences, was riding his Yamaha WR 125X motorcycle, on Colman Road, Norwich, on the morning of Thursday 17 November 2022 at 7.16am when he collided with pedestrian Lucy Machin as she crossed the road. He was aged 17 at the time.
Despite having a licence, Fitt was uninsured to ride the motorbike. He was riding home from work along Colman Road in the general direction of Unthank Road, when witnesses stated he exceeded the 30mph speed limit and overtook them. The morning light was dull, with street lamps still alight, and the road conditions wet when the collision happened.
As Fitt approached the traffic signals at South Park Avenue, the court heard how analysis of CCTV footage showed he was speeding, and how on his approach to the junction the signals changed from green to amber ahead of him in the distance.
He continued and did not stop for the amber signal. It is unclear whether Fitt rode across the stop line whilst the signal remained amber, or if it was red by this point. Forensic Collision Investigators calculated that for Fitt to have passed the stop line while the signal was amber, he would need to be riding at an average speed of 47.4mph as a minimum. Any slower and he would have crossed the line against a red signal.
It was as Fitt continued through the junction. Mrs Machin began to cross the road and they were in collision with one another.
Police retrieved further CCTV which recorded the motorcycle in the seconds prior to the collision with Mrs Machin. This footage was analysed and a range of speed was provided of between 41 and 52mph. There is no footage which shows the collision itself and there are no known witnesses to it.
Mrs Machin was later transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where she died as a result of the injuries received in the collision.
Chris Warner, investigator for the Norfolk and Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit said:
“This case and its tragic outcome is the result of Fitt’s decision to ride his motorcycle that morning when he knew there was no insurance in place to cover him. This was compounded by his decision to ride in the way in which he did. It was not only poorly judged for the prevailing weather conditions that morning, but he was above the speed limit and did not follow the traffic signals correctly.
“I wish to thank the public who came forward and aided the investigation. I also wish to pay tribute to Lucy’s family and friends for their continued resilience in the face of the loss of someone much loved by them.”
Lucy’s husband Rob read out his victim personal statement at court paying tribute to his wife , who worked as a counsellor as well as training others and used her personal qualities to help them. He also paid tribute to their son Joe and described him as “my hero”.
Mr Machin, who has resigned from his role as a teacher and head of department following the death of his wife, said: “The costs we have borne as a family, both emotional and financial, have been significant. They will not disappear anytime soon. They will linger and grow. I have worked hard to stay healthy and positive for the future. I must set an example for Joe. I must plan ahead, even though the future is uncertain.”