Parents' heartbreaking 5-word question to driver, 73, who hit and killed cyclist
The heartbroken parents of a cyclist killed after being hit from behind by a 4x4 car have asked the driver: "Why didn't you see him?"
David 'Davey' Jones, 41, was struck by 73-year-old Raymond Treharne's Grand Cherokee Jeep on the A48 in Bridgend, South Wales, at around 5.50am on May 27, 2020.
The defendant was found guilty of causing death by careless driving following a trial.
The driver was described at Cardiff Crown Court as being "in shock" and told people: "I hit him.... He was standing on the bike. He fell into the road."
The trial found no evidence Treharne had applied his brakes or swerved prior to the collision.
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Mr Jones hit the ground, was not moving, and was covered in blood as his bike went under the vehicle.
He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Raymond Treharne has been given a suspended sentence (WALES NEWS SERVICE)Forensic collision investigators concluded Mr Jones was in an upright position and fixed to his bike at the moment of the crash rather than falling from a static position.
At a sentencing hearing today at Swansea Crown Court, a victim personal statement from Mr Jone's distraught dad Tony Jones said the family felt "disbelief, numbness, anger, and guilt", reports WalesOnline.
He added: "We feel able to tell you Raymond Treharne the pain you have caused by what you did that day. Davey doesn't have a voice now, we brought him into this world and feel it's our duty to speak for him.
"We're good people and a good family. We don't harbour hate or malice towards anyone.
A victim personal statement was read out at Cardiff Crown Court (PA)"We're not looking for vengeance or a pound of flesh. We're looking for justice and an answer to an easy question.
"Where were you looking? How could you not see my son riding a bike? He was doing what he loved....
"He wasn't doing anything wrong. Why didn't you see him? Only you and your conscience can answer that question."
Mr Jones Sr said Treharne's decision to plead not guilty had prolonged the family's pain.
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He said their world had been "turned upside-down" and no sentence passed by the court would bring their son back.
Treharne smashed into the victim's bike after failing to spot him (WALES NEWS SERVICE)The father added: "Rest in peace, Davey. We love you and miss you."
The victim's former partner and mother of his children Michelle Crocker said Mr Jones' two children had been affected by his death.
She said: "My son asks: 'Why did my dad die so young?' and I have no answer to give him.... Telling them their father had died was the hardest thing I've had to do."
In mitigation defence barrister Helen Randall described Mr Jones' death as "a desperately sad incident with tragic consequences".
She said the incident has had a "profound effect" on Treharne who was a professional driver of more than 50 years.
She said the defendant has now stopped driving, which has brought about an early retirement, with Ms Randall describing the ageing process as "significant".
Sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards said Mr Jones was not to blame for any part of his death.
She said the deceased's family would have to live with the consequences of Treharne's actions for the rest of their lives.
She added: "Periods of inattention can have catastrophic effects and that is what happened here... You failed to have regard to a vulnerable road user, namely a cyclist, on this road."
Treharne was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.
He was made subject to a curfew between 5pm and 6am for six months. He was also disqualified from driving for seven years.
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