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Text driver jailed for bike death Text driver jailed for bike death
(about 2 hours later)
A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison.A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries when he went through a red light and was struck by Kiera Coultas' car in Southampton in February 2007.Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries when he went through a red light and was struck by Kiera Coultas' car in Southampton in February 2007.
Coultas had earlier been found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving. The 25-year-old from Hythe, Hampshire, was driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone.
The 25-year-old from Hythe, Hampshire, was banned from driving for five years. Miss Coultas had earlier been found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the crash, Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, who had not been wearing a helmet, was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he later died. Seeing my 19-year-old brother lying dying in a hospital bed was too much to take Laura Wickington
Sgt Alison West, of Hampshire Constabulary, recommended drivers switched off their mobile phones during journeys. Judge Jeremy Burford also banned her from driving.
"It's pretty routine nowadays at the scene of these serious or fatal accidents to seize drivers' mobile phones, and to have them analysed to see if the phone has had anything to do with the driving standards involved," she said. "The serious part of your conduct was that you were sending a text on your mobile phone having just received one," he said.
"In this particular incident, it transpired from a phone analysis that there was phone use close to the time of the incident." "It occurred at precisely the worst time because you failed to see the cyclist who was crossing the road having gone through the red light and travelling as you were at 45mph you hit him and he suffered injuries from which he later died."
Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, who had not been wearing a helmet, died in Southampton General Hospital.
Speaking after the ruling his sister, Laura, said: "My life came crashing down before me, seeing my 19-year-old brother lying dying in a hospital bed was too much to take.
"These moments were the most soul destroying and traumatic moments of my life," she said.
Sgt Alyson West, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the ruling would hopefully discourage others from using their mobile phones while driving.
"Today's sentence will not bring back Jordan Wickington. However, it will hopefully help to deter drivers who continue to flout the law by using their mobile phones while driving.
"The answer is quite simple - don't use your mobile phone and drive.
"Nothing is so important that it can't wait until you stop or arrive safely at your destination."