Speeding motorcyclist jailed after killing pedestrian in Blackpool

A motorcyclist has today (8th March 2024) been jailed for causing the death of a pedestrian in Blackpool.

Lancashire Police officers came across the aftermath of a collision between a motorcyclist and a pedestrian which happened on St Walburgas Road shortly before 5.55pm on 11th of November 2022.

Despite the best efforts of members of the public and the emergency services, the pedestrian, 67-year-old Thomas Humphreys from Blackpool, died in hospital having suffered multiple injuries.

The motorcyclist, 26-year-old Daniel Wray, who suffered serious injuries in the collision, was arrested at the scene.

CCTV enquiries found that prior to the fatal collision, Wray had ridden through areas of Poulton and Blackpool on his Suzuki Bandit motorcycle far in excess of the speed limit.

Forensic Collision Investigation evidence was able to show that at the point he struck Mr Humphreys, Wray was riding at speeds of between 57mph and 66mph in the 30mph zone. Wray had no licence or insurance for the Suzuki and was also wearing a crash helmet in the dark with a heavily tinted visor.

Wray, of Selby Avenue, Blackpool, appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier this year and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured and causing death without a driving licence.

He was jailed for seven years and four months and was disqualified from driving for 12 years. He must take an extended re-test before he gets his licence back.

The motorbike was seized and will be crushed.

Sgt Matt Davidson, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Wray’s actions on 11th of November 2022 were truly appalling and resulted in a man sadly losing his life."

“Riding a motorcycle he knew he had no licence or insurance for, and with compromised visibility, Daniel Wray rode at sometimes more than double the speed limit in built up residential areas. When Thomas Humphreys stepped into the road, he could never have anticipated how quickly Wray was really approaching him and he would not have realised it was unsafe to cross.

“While no sentence will ever reflect or make up for the loss of life, I welcome the fact that Wray has been given a custodial sentence and made accountable for his behaviour that night.

“I hope this tragic case will act as a poignant reminder about the fatal consequences of dangerous riding and the impact it can have on all involved.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Hits Radio app.