A 58-year-old man faces a charge of causing death by careless driving more than 2 years after a cyclist was killed in the village of Shorwell.
It was on 5th June 2022 that 64-year-old Professor Simon McQueen-Mason – who was riding a Colnago ACR bicycle – was involved in a serious collision with a Land Rover at the junction with New Barn Lane, as reported by Island Echo at the time.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and local paramedics were scrambled to the scene but, despite the best efforts of medics, Professor McQueen-Mason’s life could not be saved.
Collision investigators from the mainland spent several hours at the scene piecing together the events that led to the fatal collision. Since then, officers have been pursuing criminal charges in relation to the Land Rover driver’s actions.
Now, having put the case forward to the Crown Prosecution Service, a postal requisition has been served for a charge of causing death by careless driving.
The currently unnamed 58-year-old, from Shorwell, will appear before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court in December.
UPDATE MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER – Timothy Cale of Farriers Way, Shorwell will appear before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court tomorrow (10th December) charged with causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving.
2 years..great took 7 hours to sort out evedence..
Forensic investigations take a lot longer with recreations of likely scenarios and many other scientific analyses taking place. CPS will not proceed unless they are satisfied that a thorough review of facts and balance of probabilities (where facts are unavailable) are completed.
I wish that were true but my experience shows that the Police just don’t bother, unless perhaps there’s is a fatality as sadly occurred in this instance.
– A few months after hearing about this tragedy, I was not just knocked off my cycle but violently side swiped off, leaving me badly bruised and my cycle driven over, in Freshwater Avenue Road.
Despite having three witnesses very much in agreement over this woman’s recklessness (one thought I was a goner), the Police (if you can call them that) did nothing – took no further action.
Her insurance only paid out £100 for damage to my cycle, which I have not ridden since, now that I’ve lost my nerve after about 60 years on the road.
The Police were just not interested and are, as ever, a total left down – at least the island they are..