Driver who admitted causing death of cyclist in Sawston given suspended sentence
A driver who admitted causing the death of a cyclist in Sawston has been given a suspended sentence.
Josephine John, 78, of Lynton Way, Sawston, was driving around the High Street roundabout with Link Road when she struck 88-year-old George Donaldson, who was entering the junction.
Mr Donaldson, of Queens Way, Sawston, was taken to hospital following the accident, which occurred at about 1.15pm on Saturday September 30, 2017.
He died of his injuries on Thursday October 5, 2017.
John was voluntarily interviewed in June 2018 and claimed she was negotiating the roundabout when she heard a “clatter”.
She stopped immediately and got out of her car to find a cyclist lying in the road injured.
John told officers she just “didn’t see” Mr Donaldson before the point of impact.
She was later charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, and pleaded guilty.
At Cambridge Crown Court on Monday (August 17), John was handed four months in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also disqualified from driving for a year.
PC Ian Masters said: “This is a tragic case that has sadly resulted in an elderly man losing his life.
“Although John did not intend for this collision to happen, it is a stark reminder of the importance of the responsibility motorists have in staying alert.
“I urge people to ensure they pay careful attention when driving, and be particularly aware of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.”
Two cyclists have been killed on the roads around Cambridge in recent weeks.
Michael Roff, 57, of Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, was cycling along a roundabout at the A603 junction with Barton Road on Friday, July 31, when he was involved in a collision with a white Vauxhall Astra at about 7.30pm.
Mr Roff was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital but died of his injuries in the early hours of the following morning (August 1).
Cyclist John Hunter, 87, of Cow Lane, Fulbourn, died after a collision just after 4.15pm on Friday, July 24, on Shelford Road involving a silver Vauxhall Corsa.
Police have appealed for witnesses to both crashes to contact them via their webchat service, or by calling 101.
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