A 19-year-old Sunderland teenager, Billy Stokoe, has been jailed for six years and nine months after causing the death of 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson in an illegal e-bike collision.
The incident occurred on 16 May last year at a zebra crossing on the B1286 Burdon Road, Sunderland. Despite emergency efforts, Mrs Stephenson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Stokoe was riding an uninsured Sur-Ron e-bike that was not road-legal. The bike lacked a right-hand brake, with only the left brake functioning. Shockingly, he was operating the bike while holding a mobile phone in the same hand as the working brake, which severely limited his control.
Dashcam footage revealed that Stokoe rode for half a mile without attempting to slow down or avoid Mrs Stephenson, who was crossing the road accompanied by her daughter’s dog. Mrs Stephenson died from a severe leg injury and cardiac arrest.
After the collision, Stokoe was thrown from the bike but fled the scene. He changed clothes and hid the e-bike at a friend’s house before surrendering to the police over an hour later. Tests showed he was over the cannabis limit at the time of the incident. It was also noted that he suffered from ADHD and had an IQ of 66.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Stokoe was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Robert Adams emphasised Mrs Stephenson’s vulnerability and Stokoe’s responsibility in the fatal collision. In addition to the prison sentence, Stokoe was banned from driving for eight years.
Superintendent Billy Mulligan urged the public to report dangerous e-bike riders to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Originally published by UKNIP.
