A woman who hit and killed a cyclist in Cholsey in Oxfordshire last year has admitted causing death by careless bdriving. Appearing at Oxford Crown Court, Maria Sutton also admitted lying to police about her car being stolen, but denied being over the drink-driving limit.
The Oxford Times reports that Dr Graham Ruecroft was cycling from Cholsey Railway Station to his home in Wallingford at around 10pm on June 4 when he was hit by a dark-coloured Kia which failed to stop.
He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxofrd but died five days later. Opening an inquest last year, Coroner Darren Salter said he died from brain injuries.
Accused of being double the drink-driving limit, Sutton denied causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit. However, she admitted perverting the course of justice after telling police her car had been stolen at the time of Dr Ruecroft's death.
Sutton faces up to five years in prison for causing death by careless driving, but if convicted of causing death by careless driving while over the drink driving limit, the maximum sentence is 14 years.
The trial will take place on June 6.
The Oxford Mail reports that Ruecroft, a research chemist, co-founded two Oxford firms: Prosonix which researched and developed asthma drugs and inhalers; and Celbius, which researches improved manufacture of pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
He was also a brass band player. Oxford and Cherwell conductor Terry Brotherhood said of him: “He was right at the top of his profession, but he was also just a fabulous bloke. You couldn’t wish to meet somebody nicer.”
NB: This article has been updated since its original publication due to confusion in the source report, which stated that Sutton had also pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, an offence with which she was not charged.
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With the old route I hope they bigger it up also! Sadly they'll probably do that but with a vowel change.
Sean Kelly, assuming you mean him by the rattling pockets, /did/ fail tests in his career.
I think this incident has angered the police, such that this driver will face further sanction. We've created a monster here.
Took my thru axle bike abroad in one. It was a couple of years ago and I can't remember how I did it but you can attach the wheels with skewers...
for me its the lack of sanctions for traffic offences in the first place thats the problem, Mikey wouldnt have to do what he does at all, if people...
The UK has had a few black cycling champions. Not long after Maurice was gaining recognition on the track, Charlie Reynolds, also from South London...
Common sense at last
And tandems...
Car crashes into wall behind Natwest in Winchester https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24216676.photos-car-crashes-wa...
One way to find out is to put a member of the driver's family on the bike and ask them to repeat the manoeuvre.