Driver sentenced after hitting pedestrian while overtaking trailer
A driver who left a pedestrian with serious injuries after hitting him while overtaking a trailer has been sentenced after being found guilty of careless driving.
Gavin Watson was travelling along Marton Road in Middlesbrough on November 8, 2022, when he crashed into a 66-year-old man.
Cleveland Police said the 42-year-old driver made no attempt to alter his speed or direction as he continued driving towards the man before hitting him.
The victim was left with catastrophic head, facial and chest injuries, which led to him spending a significant amount of time in hospital.
A jury found him guilty of causing serious injury by careless driving following a three-day trial in April, where a court heard the victim had been walking along Egmont Road and onto Marton Road when he was struck.
As he stepped on to the road to cross to the other side, a silver car that was pulling a trailer, turned right onto Egmont Road, providing a safe time to cross.
Watson continues driving over the speed limit and overtaking the trailer, despite officers believing he observed the man ahead.
The court was eventually told Watson hit the man at 28mph, and footage played to the jury showed the man being thrown to the floor as he attempted to run to safety.
On May 15, Watson appeared at Teesside Crown Court and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 24 months. He has been disqualified from driving for five years, ordered to pay a £3,000 fine, requirement for rehabilitation and to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Cleveland Police’s investigating officer, PC David Danks, said: “Watson’s lack of care while driving has resulted in a man suffering serious injuries that led to him being in hospital for a significant period of time and has had a lasting impact on his life as well as his family.
“While it is impossible to know what was going through Watson’s head at the time, I believe he observed the man as he headed towards him and instead of altering his speed to account for the vehicle and trailer turning, he decided to overtake.
“The footage of the collision played to the court shocked the jury and alongside the evidence presented, it was clear Watson was guilty.
“This is a positive outcome and on behalf of the family of the victim I want to thank all those involved in assisting the case. This includes the joint work of Durham Forensic Collision Investigation unit and Road Safety Support for without their expert knowledge this conviction would not have been possible.
“As a driver you have to stay alert at all times and assess situations that are continuously developing whether that is changing your speed by slowing down or changing direction. The consequences of not doing so could result in a criminal offence or causing serious harm to a member of the public.”