Driver makes last minute decision but it cost a man’s life
A court has heard how an "inexperienced" HGV driver killed a "kind, funny, caring and generous" motorcyclist, who was on his way to work as a lorry driver himself, when he was struck by the defendant's vehicle in July of last year. On Thursday, Nottingham Crown Court heard how lorry driver Matthew Wright didn't see motorcyclist Nigel Osler in his mirrors when he carried out what the victim's wife called "a highly dangerous manoeuvre", reports Nottinghamshire Live[1].
The court heard how his Amazon Prime lorry had collided with the Yamaha bike. Mr Osler, who was a 61-year-old grandfather from Derbyshire, was rushed to hospital following the incident. His family had to make the agonising decision to switch off his life support machine as he was not going to survive, so that his organs would be donated as he would have wanted.
In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement by his wife, bravely read to the court, she said: "It took us ages to decide whether it was right to keep him alive but we just could not do it. We had to let him go with as much dignity as possible."
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It was confirmed that 45-year-old Wright would be jailed for nine years. In court, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC said: "In just a few short minutes - or even not that long - a life was lost and it should not have been. The devastation you caused is immeasurable and of course your life has changed also.
"Whatever sentence I give you, your life will never be the same again and whatever sentence I give you will not bring back Mr Osler. It was not your intention to kill, you are not charged with murder, you are charged with motorised manslaughter and no one sets out to cause a death in this way."
Laura Pitman, prosecuting, said the collision took place at the A617/A60 crossroads junction in Mansfield shortly after 4am on July 12, 2023. She said Mr Osler was riding to work and was driving within the speed limit on a motorcycle which had no defects and he had no alcohol or drugs in his system.
The prosecutor said Wright had picked up a full load and was in the wrong lane when he made a last-minute decision to turn right across four lanes rather than drive an extra mile to a roundabout and turn around safely. She said instead, he began carrying out a sudden U-turn and collided with the victim's motorbike. Miss Pitman said: "He later told the police he could see the light of the motorcycle coming in and out of view and thought it went into the left-hand lane to go straight on.
A general view of the scene of a road traffic collision at the junction of the A60 and A617, south of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire on July 12, 2023 (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
"He also claimed the motorcycle had been weaving on the approach to the junction but that is not right as a witness saw what happened and had dash cam footage and on it there was nothing to suggest this." Miss Pitman said Mr Osler suffered multiple broken bones and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died. In her victim impact statement, Mr Osler's wife said: "Your actions that day took Nige away from us and I despise what you have done to our family.
"One of the worst days was collecting Nige's ashes and our son held on to them as we drove home with tears pouring down his face. You need to visualise the pain you have caused. He was known as 'Mr Health and Safety' at work, he did not tolerate sloppy drivers, checking everything. If only you had been so conscientious. That day, in the most horrific way, you ended his life.
"You made a conscious decision to make a highly dangerous manoeuvre and that decision killed him. You left our kind, funny, caring Nige lying on the road." Wright, a father of two teenagers, of Leeson Avenue, Charnock Richard, Chorley in Lancashire, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and has no previous convictions of any kind. He kept his head bowed in the dock throughout the entire sentencing hearing this week.
Mark Friend, mitigating, said: "Causing the death of Mr Osler has left him with guilt which will remain with him for the rest of his days. He is a man of previous good character with no convictions, cautions or reprimands. It is his first time dealing with the criminal justice system, the court can be satisfied there will be no further offending and this will forever represent his only conviction."
In a statement released following the sentence, Mr Osler's family said they had "lived in a world of disbelief" since his sudden death. They said: "You cannot overestimate the devastating impact that such an horrendous and unnecessary death has upon a family.
The crash occurred at the A60 junction with Marr Route (A617) at Mansfield on Wednesday morning, July 12, 2023 (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
"Nige was such a kind, funny, caring and generous man who loved his children and adored his grandchildren. The pain of losing someone in such traumatic circumstances is immeasurable and we will never recover. Memories that we should be making can never be.
"To lose his life through no fault of his own in these circumstances is devastating for everyone who loved him. To the emergency service personnel that attended Nige and to everyone at the scene and at Queen's Medical Centre we send our heartfelt thanks. You all did your very best for him.
"The fact that we are here today is testament to the police and CPS in securing a conviction and for this we thank you. We'd like to thank everyone for their support of our family and kind sentiments offered since that day.
"Trying to save a couple of minutes cost Nige his life and we would urge anyone using the roads to consider the consequences of their actions. Is it really worth it? No amount of sentence can bring Nige back or erase the devastating memories of that day. We have to live with the consequences forever."
Collision investigator Georgina Luke of Nottinghamshire Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "This was an utterly tragic incident that robbed a family of a much-loved husband, dad, grandad and brother. Wright's manner of driving was extremely dangerous and ultimately cost Mr Osler his life.
"As Wright begins his sentence, I sincerely hope that other drivers will take note of the potential consequences of driving dangerously and be more considerate around other road users by ensuring they have passed you safely before making manoeuvres which could put their lives at risk. Our thoughts remain with Mr Osler's family, who have all been so brave throughout the investigation process after suffering such a dreadful loss."
As well as the jail term, the judge disqualified Wright from driving for 11 years. Nottinghamshire Police does not have a custody photograph of the defendant.
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References
- ^ Nottinghamshire Live (www.nottinghampost.com)
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