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Van driver admits killing 85-year-old cyclist

“Brian’s life was filled with good times surrounded by the people he loves most, exploring the world, laughing and dancing up until the day he was cruelly taken from us."...

A van driver has admitted killing an 85-year-old pensioner who inspired his family with his 'enthusiasm for life'. 

Jamie Bridgwater, 33, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Brian Humphreys by careless driving. 

Bridgwater, from Stourport also admitted being over the drug drive limit at the time, as he entered his plea at Wolverhampton Crown Court. 

Mr Humphreys' family said they will 'treasure the memories' they have of him but 'a huge part of their lives will now be forever missing'. 

The Express and Star report that the court heard Bridgwater was driving a Mercedes van which hit Mr Humphreys in Temple Bar, Willenhall, on June 15, 2020.

Mr Humphreys died from his injuries on June 26 that year.

His Honour Judge Butterfield QC adjourned the hearing for pre-sentence reports. Bridgwater was also banned from driving.

He will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday, June 24.

After his death, Mr Humphreys’ family paid tribute.

“A dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend to many; Brian is loved by so many for his enthusiastic approach to life. Age was always just a number,” they said in a statement.

“Nothing ever fell short of perfection, his dedication to hard work and high standards made him not just a friend or a father figure in the lives of those around him; but a teacher, mentor, and guide through life’s many turns.

"Brian’s life was filled with good times surrounded by the people he loves most, exploring the world, laughing and dancing up until the day he was cruelly taken from us."

“Our memories will be treasured, but a huge part of our lives will now be forever missing.”

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14 comments

Avatar
VIPcyclist | 3 years ago
1 like

Really sad news. I recon 2 years suspend. Let's see.

Avatar
FrankH | 3 years ago
4 likes

Your poor driving kills somebody, that's pretty much the definition of dangerous.

Why do they persist in charging dangerous drivers with careless driving?

 

Avatar
Pedantic Pedaller replied to FrankH | 3 years ago
10 likes

UK needs modernising. There should only be one charge: Causing Death or Serious Injury by Negligent Driving. let the Courts decide the level of negligence.

Avatar
Dave Dave replied to FrankH | 3 years ago
2 likes

Because that isn't the definition of 'dangerous driving'. The law is the law, and it needs changing.

"The offence of dangerous driving under section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is committed when the defendant’s driving falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious that driving in that way would be dangerous – section 2A of the RTA 1988."

https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/driving-offences

It's fair to say that as well as a change in the law we need a massive driver-education programme to match.

Avatar
EK Spinner replied to Dave Dave | 3 years ago
4 likes

"Bridgwater, from Stourport also admitted being over the drug drive limit at the time,"

Now if driving on drugs isn't obviously dangerous to a carefu and competent driver then what is. This should be enough for automatic dangerous guilty in my book.

 

and on a side note, why is there a drug drive limit for illegal drugs ?

Avatar
ktache replied to EK Spinner | 3 years ago
2 likes

On the limits question, because there is cocaine on most of our money, to be absorbed through the skin, and everytime you walk down the street and detect that distinctive wiff you are breathing it in and some will be absorbed, that and the body does have some naturally occuring canninibinoids floating around the bloodstream.  There is a reason why there are canninibinoid receptors in the brain.

Ever eaten poppy seeds, you'd of failed a zero limit opiod test.

Avatar
Jenova20 replied to ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

ktache wrote:

On the limits question, because there is cocaine on most of our money, to be absorbed through the skin, and everytime you walk down the street and detect that distinctive wiff you are breathing it in and some will be absorbed, that and the body does have some naturally occuring canninibinoids floating around the bloodstream.  There is a reason why there are canninibinoid receptors in the brain.

Ever eaten poppy seeds, you'd of failed a zero limit opiod test.

*Cough*

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8483870/worker-sacked-failed-drugs-test-bread/

Avatar
ktache | 3 years ago
11 likes

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Humphreys.

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Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
8 likes

I wait in anticipation for a ludicrous sentence to be passed. 

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alexls replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
3 likes

Secret_squirrel wrote:

I wait in anticipation for a ludicrous sentence to be passed. 

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/cau...

Max starting point is 15 months.  He'll get credit for a guilty plea.  Max is 3 or 5 years (can't work out which - there are two figures quoted) - but that's if there are aggravating factors and no mitigating factors (including no guilty plea).

So don't hold your breath.

Avatar
mike the bike replied to alexls | 3 years ago
7 likes

alexls wrote:

 ...... - but that's if there are aggravating factors and no mitigating factors (including no guilty plea).

So don't hold your breath.....  

He was over the drug drive limit, which should count as a massive aggravating factor.  Why, it could add several pounds to his fine.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to mike the bike | 3 years ago
3 likes

mike the bike wrote:

He was over the drug drive limit, which should count as a massive aggravating factor.  Why, it could add several pounds to his fine.

Or even, in extreme cases, some serious words and a hard stare....

Avatar
Dave Dave replied to mike the bike | 3 years ago
0 likes

Driving while on drugs appears to be the only thing that got this upgraded to causing death by dangerous driving. I'm not sure it counts as a further aggravating factor.

"Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs (Section 3A Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1988)
Penalty: 1 to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both; and disqualified for a minimum of two years;"

Avatar
FrankH replied to Dave Dave | 3 years ago
1 like

Dave Dave wrote:

Driving while on drugs appears to be the only thing that got this upgraded to causing death by dangerous driving.

But it wasn't. He admitted to careless driving and that seems to have been accepted by the court. I'm not sure you can do that if you're charged with dangerous driving.

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