Driver charged six months after death of Hampshire cyclist

A motorist has been charged with causing the death of a cyclist by dangerous driving following a collision during a time trial near Farnham last year, reports Get Surrey. Christopher Gard will appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on March 3.

Lee Martin, 48, was hit by a white Ford Transit van at around 7.30pm on August 12 while riding along the A31 in a time trial for the North Hampshire Road Club.

The incident took place near the junction with Station Road in Bentley. The Basingstoke Gazette reports that he was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but later died of his injuries.

Members of North Hampshire Road Club described a cyclist who underwent a transformation from “distinctly overweight” to “the guy to beat”.

Barry Tooke, press secretary at North Hampshire Road Club, said: “Lee was a top bloke; a really powerful rider, good-natured mickey-taker, and capable of blistering profanity when the occasion required. The world is a poorer place without him, he’ll be remembered well.”

In a statement at the time, Martin’s family said: “Lee’s sudden death has been a terrible shock and we are all devastated. He will be sorely missed by his family, including his wife and two daughters. He was a protective and loyal husband, father, son and brother. Big Lee will be missed by many friends and family members, but he will never be forgotten.”