James Lawley, an 81‑year‑old tricycle rider, was fatally struck on Oxcliffe Road in Heaton‑with‑Oxcliffe just before 7.45 am on 21 September 2023. A 28‑year‑old driver distracted by Snapchat selfies delivered the first blow, and a 64‑year‑old motorist ran over the injured cyclist moments later.

Matthew Isherwood’s four‑minute Snapchat spree before the crash

According to the Preston Crown Court record, Isherwood began his journey at 7.41 am and, in the four minutes before the collision, sent a Snapchat selfie, messaged three contacts on the platform, viewed Instagram content and sent an Instagram message to a fifth person. Digital forensics confirmed the timeline, and a message sent three minutes after the impact read, “I’ve just hit someone.”

Kevin Dawson’s 20‑month suspended sentence after running over the cyclist

The court sentenced Dawson to eight months imprisonment suspended for 20 months, imposed a 26‑week electronic curfew and banned him from driving for 18 months. he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, yet he did not stop after striking Lawley,later claiming he thought he had run over rubble.

Oxcliffe Road tragedy prompts five‑year‑plus jail term for dangeros driving

Isherwood received a custodial term of five years and two months, a driving ban of seven years and seven months, and a requirement to pass an extended re‑test before regaining his licence. Detective Sgt Matt Davidson of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case “highlights the lethal consequences of mobile phone use while driving.”

Was the second driver’s failure to stop intentional?

The source notes that other motorists managed to steer around the injured cyclist, whereas Dawson continued past the scene. Police intercepted his Mercedes on the Bay Gateway, but the court heard no evidence that he deliberately avoided stopping, leaving the motive ambiguous.

What remains unclear about the investigation

While the court heard detailed digital evidence of Isherwood’s phone use, it did not disclose whether any alcohol or drug testing was performed on either driver. Additionally, the exact speed of both vehicles at the time of impact was not released,and the investigation’s final report on road‑design factors has yet to be published.