A motorist has appeared in court accused of causing the death of a passenger by careless driving.
Shaun David Hillary, 31, was present for a 10-minute hearing in front of a district judge this morning — two years to the day that Ben Law died in hospital from injuries he had sustained a fortnight earlier.
This followed a crash which occurred at around 8.40pm on March 21 2021, near Dockray Hall, between Micklethwaite and Wigton. It involved a DAF milk tanker and an eastbound BMW 330D being driven by Hillary in which there were two passengers, including Mr Law in the front seat.
Mr Law, 22, and from Wigton, died at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary on April 3 2021.
At Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today, relatives of Mr Law were present as Hillary said he was entering no plea at this stage to one charge. This alleges that he caused Mr Law’s death by driving the BMW without due care and attention.
Hillary, wearing a black coat, white shirt and tie, also spoke from the dock to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
An outline of the circumstances and basis for the allegation was provided by prosecutor Graeme Tindall. “The emergency services attended and assistance was given by members of the public,” said Mr Tindall of the aftermath.
It is alleged by the prosecution that Hillary lost control of the BMW. A forensic collision report, said the prosecutor, concluded that excessive and inappropriate high speed was a main contributory factor in the cause of the collision.
A lawyer representing Hillary said his legal team would be commissioning their own forensic collision report.
District Judge John Temperley concluded that the case should be sent to Carlisle Crown Court.
Hillary, of Thurston Drive, Wigton, is due to appear in front of a judge at the crown court on May 2. In the meantime he was granted unconditional bail.
