Driver jailed for a year for causing horror crash with cyclist
This is the horrifying moment a cyclist was sent spinning into the air after being hit by a driver who pulled out in front of her. The cyclist, aged 71, was left with a bleed on the brain, broken shoulder and broken ankle and spent five days in hospital.
The moment of impact as Freeman hits the cyclist
Today we’re releasing the footage, with the agreement of the victim, to highlight the responsibility drivers have to more vulnerable road users. Watch the footage here.[1]
The driver of the Citroen C3 Flair, Thomas Freeman, aged 29, has now been jailed for a year following the collision, which happened on 6 May on Wildcroft Road at its junction with Brookside Avenue in Coventry. Freeman, of Torrington Avenue, Coventry, admitted causing serious injury by careless driving.
Thomas Freeman
He was also banned from driving for two years when he appeared at Warwick Crown Court on December 21, following a probe by our Traffic Investigations Unit (TIU). T/Sgt Jordan Keen, from our TIU, said: “This was an appalling piece of careless driving which left the cyclist badly injured.
“She is an experienced cyclist and a member of a local cycling club, but it’s clear from the footage that Freeman’s careless driving when crossing the junction meant she stood no chance. “I hope that drivers who see this footage know that they have a responsibility to more vulnerable road users out there, such as cyclists and pedestrians.” We take road safety seriously, which is why we’ve launched Operation Triton, a dedicated initiative aimed at tackling dangerous driving and improving safety on our roads.
Our primary mission is simple yet crucial – to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
We also aim to disrupt and deter criminals who abuse the road network. We are working with communities and partners, including local councils, charities and Transport for West Midlands, to create safer roads for everyone. Our proactive approach involves active patrolling of key areas, enforcing speed limits, and protecting our communities from the hazards of excessive speed and other road-related issues.
References
- ^ Watch the footage here. (youtube.com)
- ^ Find out more here. (www.west-midlands.police.uk)